Far-left political influencer Hasan Piker ignited controversy over the weekend after delivering a speech to the College Democrats of America convention while wearing an outfit that critics described as resembling that of former communist dictator Mao Zedong. The July 18 event in Washington, D.C., saw Piker address the students, with a clip of his remarks shared widely online.
During his speech, Piker stated, "No more to Trumpism, but no more to the Democrats who compromise, who conciliate, and who betray us." He continued, "No more to the fascist reactionaries, but no more to the Democrats who will collaborate and cooperate with the fascists, who will fund ICE, who will fund Israel, who will help poison the planet, who will stiff workers and help bosses."
The streamer's attire and his criticisms of the Democratic Party immediately drew sharp reactions on social media platforms. Spencer Pratt, a former Los Angeles mayoral candidate, posted on X, "Hasan Piker dressed as Mao, brainwashing your kids at college. They’re communists. This was always communism." He further commented on the historical comparisons, stating, "Mao killed more people than Hitler. If Hasan Piker had dressed like a Nazi, we'd have an appropriate outrage. But because commies have infiltrated all our institutions & lied about how evil they are, we don't get the National Socialists were no worse than all other socialists."
GOP strategist Matt Whitlock posted on X, "We can all agree that dressing up as Mao while preaching this faculty lounge cosplay communism is a little on the nose, right?" Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, observed on X, "The transformation of Hasan Piker is nearing completion: dressed up as Chairman Mao whom he called ‘one of the great leaders of this world who changed the entire universe,’ he & his followers are attempting a cultural takeover of the Democratic Party, which is letting them in."
CNN political commentator Scott Jennings remarked on X, "Serious issues aside, it remains funny to me the amount of costumery required to be a Leftist in good standing."
Piker, who has an estimated 10 million followers across various platforms and has previously expressed admiration for Mao Zedong, responded to a post criticizing his appearance by asking, "no more to fascist trumpism and no more to the democrats who collaborate w fascists by funding ice and israel is a hitler style speech to you?"
An executive board member from a College Democrats of America chapter in New York told Fox News Digital that the group's decision to platform Piker was "antithetical to the party that common sense democrats are trying to present to the American people before November’s midterms." The board member added, "We have a golden opportunity to stand up to Trump’s corrupt and authoritarian brand of politics, fight against the MAGA affordability crisis, and restore congressional checks on an executive branch that has far overreached its role in our government. Platforming malignant outside actors, such as Piker, who actively work to cloud our policy platform will only harm our broad electability amongst average voters."
Piker has endorsed several far-left candidates and campaigned with Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan. He has faced criticism for past comments, including remarks about the 9/11 attacks.
