Washington Examiner columnist Joe Concha ripped left-wing commentator and streamer Hasan Piker and criticized Democrats for elevating him within the party.
“We could go down the line as far as this is somebody that isn’t just a podcaster on the left, and therefore, he’s saying some provocative things. Democrats actually campaign with this maniac,” Concha said on Fox Business’s Kudlow on Friday.
Piker’s role as an influential streamer has led to his role as an influencer in politics, especially among younger voters. The left-wing online pundit has sparked controversy over comments critics have condemned as antisemitic, as well as his views on the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) addressed concerns about Piker’s comments on the streaming platform Twitch in a letter to Congress on Oct. 29, 2024.
The letter reads, “Mr. Piker has demonized Orthodox Jews as ‘inbred.’”
“Here is Mr. Piker in his own words: ‘America deserved 9/11.’ The 3,000 Americans incinerated or otherwise murdered in the Twin Towers; the falling men and women plummeting to their deaths from 110-story skyscrapers; according to Mr. Piker, all of them had it coming. They deserved it,” Torres said.
Piker briefly addressed comments about 9/11 on Pod Save America, where he said they were “taken out of context.”
Twitch CEO Dan Clancy addressed concerns about how Twitch addresses hate in a blog post on Nov. 1, 2024,
“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen members of the community voice concerns about how we handle potentially harmful content. There is no place on Twitch for racism, hatred, or harassment of any kind, including antisemitism and Islamophobia,” Twitch CEO Dan Clancy said in a statement.
“So if you want this guy to be the mascot of the Democrat party, all right, roll the dice and take your chances,” Concha said.
In July, Piker gained fresh scrutiny over his streaming background, which showed what appeared to be a framed copy of a newspaper from 9/11, showing the towers in flames.
“The Twin Towers are literally exploding; that’s the picture behind him. And that’s obviously the message there,” Concha said.
Concha went on to criticize the Democratic Socialists of America, as Piker has emerged as one of its more prominent public faces.
“This is an organization that wants to abolish the Senate, the presidency, the Electoral College,” Concha said.
HASAN PIKER CALLS HAMAS ‘MODERATE’ AS COMMENTATOR FACES PUSHBACK FROM CENTRIST DEMOCRATS
The DSA’s new platform, called “Workers Deserve More,” includes eliminating the U.S. Senate, granting amnesty for all immigrants, defunding the Department of War, and replacing the Electoral College with a national popular vote for president.
“In blue cities, obviously, these socialists are getting elected in New York, and Washington, D.C., and Seattle, Washington. They have momentum where they have safe zones, but the question is, is this a national brand?” Concha said.