Hasan Piker, a prominent far-left Twitch streamer, is increasingly influencing real-life politics, causing division within the Democratic Party. While some Democrats have embraced Piker and even campaigned alongside him, others are urging the party to distance itself from the streamer due to what they describe as problematic views.

Piker's Rise to Prominence

Piker began his daily online broadcasts in 2018 and has amassed a substantial following, currently boasting 3.1 million followers on Twitch. He regularly streams for several hours each day, engaging a large audience with his political commentary.

Controversial Statements and Accusations

Piker has faced significant criticism for a series of controversial statements. These include calling religious Jews “inbred,” defending Hamas, mocking discussions of antisemitism, and making disparaging remarks about those criticizing the October 7th attacks. He reportedly minimized reports of sexual assault during the attacks, stating, “It doesn’t matter if f------ rapes happened on October 7. It doesn’t change the dynamic for me.”

In 2019, Piker stated, “America deserved 9/11.” He later clarified his remarks in an interview with Cenk Uygur, explaining it as a critique of U.S. foreign policy and admitting the comments were “inappropriate.”

Democratic Party Divisions

The streamer’s presence has become a point of contention within the Democratic Party. Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, a U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan, announced plans to hold campaign events with Piker, drawing widespread criticism.

Criticism from the Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) condemned El-Sayed’s decision, with ADL Michigan Regional Director Elyssa Schmier calling it “yet another example of the growing normalization of extreme anti-Zionism.” ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt condemned Piker’s “long track record of commending and excusing terrorism” and his use of “anti-Jewish tropes.”

Effie Phillips-Staley, a congressional candidate in New York, also faced backlash for appearing on Piker’s show and accusing Israel of genocide. Democratic committees condemned her rhetoric as “dangerous and unacceptable.”

Support and Appearances from Prominent Democrats

Despite the controversy, several prominent Democrats have appeared on Piker’s show, including Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, and Ro Khanna, as well as New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Piker recently discussed his trip to Cuba on CNN, highlighting his appearance on the network.

Calls for Distance from Piker

Rep. Ritchie Torres sent a letter to Twitch CEO Daniel Clancy, stating Piker “has emerged as the poster child for the post-October 7th outbreak of antisemitism in America.” Rep. Brad Schneider called Piker “an unapologetic antisemite” and warned against associating with him. Jonathan Cowan of Third Way co-authored an opinion piece urging Democrats to avoid engaging with Piker altogether.

The growing divide highlights a challenge for the Democratic Party: balancing outreach to progressive voters with maintaining credibility and avoiding political vulnerabilities.

Fox News Digital has reached out to Piker’s team for comment.