Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA) recently faced sharp questioning from Fox News host Brian Kilmeade regarding his repeated appearances with far-left influencer Hasan Piker, who notoriously stated that America "deserved" the 9/11 attacks. The heated exchange highlighted the ongoing debate within the Democratic Party about associating with controversial figures.
During the interview, Kilmeade pressed Khanna on his connection to Piker, citing the streamer's 2019 comments. "America deserved 9/11, dude. F— it, I’m saying it," Piker stated during a Twitch stream, a remark he later clarified as a critique of U.S. foreign policy rather than an endorsement of the attacks. Khanna defended his appearances by noting Piker's significant online following, stating, "Millions of people follow Hasan Piker..."
Kilmeade quickly retorted, "Bin Laden had a lot of followers," drawing a stark comparison. Piker, a prominent Twitch streamer and political commentator with millions of followers across social media, has a history of controversial remarks, including criticisms of U.S. foreign policy and comments that have been labeled antisemitic. Despite the backlash, Piker has maintained that his statements are often taken out of context.
The association between Democratic politicians and Piker has caused a rift within the party, with some members condemning his rhetoric while others, like Khanna and Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, have appeared with him. El-Sayed defended his decision to campaign with Piker, dismissing criticisms as "platform policing" and "cancel culture." Piker's influence among young progressives makes him a sought-after figure for some campaigns, despite the controversies surrounding his past comments.
