The Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) faced criticism from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) for selecting controversial Twitch streamer Hasan Piker to host its official election night livestream. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt accused the DSA of elevating rhetoric supportive of terrorism and antisemitism by partnering with Piker.
"Of all the people the DSA could have chosen to host its official election night livestream, it chose Hasan Piker, someone who proudly expresses support for terrorist organizations and traffics in antisemitism," Greenblatt posted on X. "Let that sink in. The DSA isn't distancing itself from this kind of rhetoric. It's elevating it."
Greenblatt shared an ADL article detailing past statements by Piker, which the organization characterized as alluding to antisemitic tropes and conspiracy theories. The article cited remarks where Piker referred to Orthodox Jews as "inbred" and described Zionism as an "exterminationist ideology."
Piker responded to Greenblatt's criticism by writing, "Suck it Jonathan, your best friend Elon burned 450 million to lose races all over the country tonight you bald piece of s---!!!"
The DSA saw several of its endorsed or supported candidates win races on Election Day, including Chris Rabb in Pennsylvania, Melat Kiros in Colorado, Donavan McKinney in Michigan, Claire Valdez in New York, and Darializa Avila Chevalier in New York.
During his 13-hour livestream on Election Day, Piker described the election results as a "blue-clear apocalypse" and stated, "Trumpism is dying." He also expressed a desire to "imagine a world where Donald Trump is in f---ing prison."
Piker had previously drawn attention for interviewing and campaigning with DSA-backed candidates. He gained national prominence after campaigning with Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, whose platform supported Medicare for All, a DSA priority. El-Sayed appeared to distance himself from Piker as the election cycle progressed, following criticism over Piker's comments suggesting that Jewish Americans' support for Israel could lead to antisemitic violence against them.
In August, Piker said on a Twitch stream, "People don't f--- with Israel any longer. And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they're singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews."
El-Sayed responded to these remarks by stating, "I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past." He added, "My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters. Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk."
Fox News Digital reached out to the DSA for comment but did not immediately receive a response.