Twitch streamer Hasan Piker is facing criticism after a resurfaced video showed him praising Mao Zedong, calling the Chinese Communist Party leader "one of the great leaders of this world." The video circulated online shortly after Piker addressed the College Democrats of America's national convention in Washington D.C. on Saturday.

In the resurfaced livestream, Piker recounted an incident in Tiananmen Square during a 2025 trip to China, where he was stopped by police. "I got stopped by a cop who thought I was making fun of Mao Zedong, which I never would and never will," Piker stated. He further elaborated, "Mao Zedong is one of the great leaders of this world, OK? A man who changed the entire universe, the entire planet."

Piker's remarks come at a time when socialist viewpoints are reportedly gaining traction among Gen Z voters. He also addressed the College Democrats convention, describing himself as an outsider aiming to instigate an "insurgency" within the Democratic Party. "It’s a great honor to be here in the heart of the American Empire, in the belly of the beast," Piker said to the attendees. "I’m speaking to the future activists of the Democratic Party, but as an outsider currently pushing for an insurgency."

He urged the audience to reject Democrats who compromise with Republicans and support funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Israel. "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," Piker asserted. "We don’t need those Democrats anymore."

Mao Zedong founded the People's Republic of China in 1949 and led the country until his death in 1976. Historical estimates suggest that policies enacted during his rule, such as the Great Leap Forward, led to millions of deaths, with figures ranging from 23 million to 55 million.

Following the circulation of the video, Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand for Action, criticized Piker's appearance and remarks. "Dressed like Mao and talking about how much he hates the majority of Democrats as an invited guest of @CollegeDems," Watts posted on X. She urged voters to hold accountable any candidates campaigning with Piker, specifically naming Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. "He is a dangerous, hateful extremist and anyone campaigning with him — including El Sayed — should be held accountable by voters," Watts stated.

Former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt also drew a parallel between Piker's praise for Mao and support for figures like Adolf Hitler. The Democratic National Committee and Abdul El-Sayed did not immediately respond to requests for comment.