Republican Michigan gubernatorial nominee Rep. John James received widespread condemnation Friday after releasing a 9/11-themed campaign ad attacking his Democratic opponent Jocelyn Benson, with critics blasting its central claim as false.
“Jocelyn Benson stands with a radical left that says America deserved 9/11. I stand with you, and I say never forget,” James is heard saying in the ad.
As James spoke, the ad displayed a photo of Benson standing alongside Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. The claim, coupled with the photo, was an apparent attempt to tie Benson to progressive influencer and activist Hasan Piker, who in 2019 made the controversial remark that “America deserved 9/11.”
Piker’s remark was made during a live broadcast of himself reacting to remarks from Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) in support of American military interventionism abroad. He immediately elaborated on his controversial statement by arguing that the United States had “brought it on ourselves” due to the U.S. government “[funding] the people who did 9/11 to this day.”
Benson has never campaigned with Piker, and on Thursday actually condemned his remarks as “reprehensible.” Piker did, however, campaign with El-Sayed.
“Benson’s husband enlisted in the Army after his friend died on 9/11, I believe. What a disgusting attack from James,” wrote Democratic strategist Mike Nellis Friday in a social media post on X to his more than 142,000 followers. “These people are pathetic.”
Forbes contributor and attorney Sophia Nelson called James’ attack ad “vile” and “disgusting,” political consultant Matt Dearing called it “lower than dirt behavior,” and Oscar-nominated director Billy Ray urged James not to run for office if he couldn’t “win without lying.”
Benson herself delivered James a scathing rebuke.
“How dare you, Congressman. My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11,” Benson wrote.
“This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices made, and the devastating impact of that attack on our country. I have never, and would never, campaign with anyone who says something so reprehensible. If you have any decency, you will immediately take down this false ad.”
How dare you, Congressman. My husband enlisted in the Army and put his life on the line for our country after losing his friend, Todd Ouida, in the towers on 9/11. This is a despicable lie to the people of Michigan about what that day means to me and my family, the sacrifices… https://t.co/SAb27nFADD
— Jocelyn Benson (@JocelynBenson) September 10, 2026