Why Progressive Democrats’ Embrace of Hasan Piker Should Alarm Every American

Key Statements by Hasan Piker

On 9/11
In an August 2019 Twitch stream, while criticizing U.S. foreign policy in the context of a Joe Rogan interview with Rep. Dan Crenshaw, Piker stated: “America deserved 9/11, dude. F— it, I’m saying it.” He later said the comment was inappropriate and poorly worded, clarifying that he meant U.S. government policy and “blowback” from interventions had made such an attack possible, not that the nearly 3,000 victims “deserved” it. He received a short-term Twitch ban. The remark has been repeatedly cited in coverage of his political associations.

On killing capitalists/landlords
In a widely recirculated stream clip (featured in the X post linked in the original query), Piker discussed landlords who leave properties vacant in high-cost areas such as Berkeley while poor people struggle to afford housing. He said: “Kill those motherfuckers in the streets. Let the streets soak in their fucking red capitalist blood.” Piker has described the language as hyperbolic, not sincere policy advocacy, and part of casual conversation. Critics treat the explicit call to murder as disqualifying.

Other frequently cited remarks

• “Hamas is a thousand times better than the fascist settler colonial apartheid state” (referring to Israel) and that he would “vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.”

• On allegations of sexual violence during the October 7 attacks: variations of “It doesn’t matter if… rapes happened on October 7th. That doesn’t change the dynamic for me.”

These and related comments have been documented by the ADL, AJC, and members of Congress including Rep. Ritchie Torres. Piker frames much of his commentary as anti-imperialist and anti-capitalist analysis directed at a young online audience. Supporters call the most inflammatory lines out-of-context or satirical. Opponents see a consistent pattern of anti-American rhetoric, class-war violence language, and relative defense of designated terrorist groups.

Documented Associations with Leftists and Democrats

Zohran Mamdani (Mayor of New York City since January 1, 2026)
Piker strongly supported Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral campaign, praised him as potentially “the greatest politician I’ve seen in my life,” and said “I love the guy.” The two shared an Eid dinner in March 2026. Mamdani appeared on Piker’s stream. When pressed during the campaign (notably by Andrew Cuomo), Mamdani called the 2019 9/11 remarks “objectionable and reprehensible.” The personal and political association continued. In July 2026 Piker publicly urged Mamdani to be more “bold” and “unapologetic,” while affirming ongoing support.

Other progressive Democrats and candidates

• Joint campaign events and appearances with Michigan Democratic Senate primary winner Abdul El-Sayed (2026).

• Rallies and events with Rep. Ilhan Omar and Wisconsin Democratic candidate Francesca Hong (early August 2026).

• Prior or overlapping appearances with figures including Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Bernie Sanders-aligned events, and Rep. Ro Khanna.

Piker has functioned as a high-energy surrogate and youth-outreach figure for parts of the progressive and DSA-aligned wing of the Democratic Party. Some Democrats (including Rep. Ritchie Torres and centrist groups such as Third Way) have publicly warned against elevating him; others defend a “big tent” approach.

Why the Associations Register as Alarming

September 11 remains a defining national trauma for the vast majority of Americans. Explicit statements that “America deserved” the attacks—even when later caveated as foreign-policy critique—cross a bright line for most people who lost family, friends, or simply view the day as sacred. Pairing that history with recorded calls to kill “capitalists” (broadly encompassing landlords and business owners) and statements elevating Hamas relative to Israel produces a package that many voters across the spectrum regard as radical rather than merely progressive.

When a sitting big-city mayor, a newly nominated Senate candidate, and members of Congress platform or maintain close ties to such a figure, it raises questions of judgment. Free speech protects Piker’s commentary. It does not require elected officials seeking broader governing power to treat him as a campaign asset or personal associate. The record of statements and the continued associations are both publicly verifiable; whether they should disqualify close collaboration is a legitimate subject of political debate.

Sources and Citations

1. Hollywood Reporter / Yahoo Entertainment (August 23, 2019): “Young Turks’ Hasan Piker Says Comment That US ‘Deserved 9/11’ Was ‘Inappropriate.’” Covers the original Twitch stream, the exact quote, and Piker’s subsequent clarification on The Young Turks.
2. Wikipedia: “Hasan Piker” entry (current as of August 2026). Summarizes the 2019 9/11 comments, the temporary Twitch ban, use of the quote against Mamdani during the 2025 campaign, and other controversies with footnotes to primary reporting.
3. Jewish Telegraphic Agency / New York Jewish Week (March 31, 2026): “Before he hit a Passover seder, Zohran Mamdani shared an Eid dinner with Hasan Piker.” Reports the dinner (citing Politico) and Piker’s follow-up comments calling Mamdani a “charmer.”
4. New York Post (July 23, 2026): “Hasan Piker tells Mamdani to ‘shut the f--- up’ over cautious messaging…” Details the July 2026 podcast exchange in which Piker urged Mamdani to be bolder while affirming continued support.
5. Circulating stream video (widely shared, including the X post by @jackunheard, August 5, 2026): Primary source for the “kill those motherfuckers… soak the streets in their fucking red capitalist blood” remarks about landlords.
6. News.com.au / ABC Australia (September 2025 coverage of 7.30 interview): Piker addresses the landlord/blood comments, describing them as hyperbolic and not sincere advocacy.
7. ADL (April 2026): “Hasan Piker: What You Need to Know.” Documents statements on Hamas, October 7, and related rhetoric.
8. AJC (April 2026): Report on Hasan Piker’s commentary regarding Jews, Israel, and designated terrorist organizations.
9. Politico, Michigan Public Radio, and local Wisconsin reporting (March–August 2026): Coverage of Piker’s campaign appearances with Abdul El-Sayed, Francesca Hong, Ilhan Omar, and internal Democratic debates over platforming him.
10. Rep. Ritchie Torres letter to Twitch/Amazon executives (2026): Cites the 9/11 quote, violent rhetoric, and other statements while calling Piker “dangerous.”
11. New York Post and Fox News reporting (2026): Additional coverage of Piker’s associations with Democratic candidates and the resurfacing of older clips during the 2026 midterm cycle.

Primary video clips, contemporaneous news reports from 2019 onward, and public campaign records remain the strongest evidence. Readers can examine the original streams and articles directly.