Crooked Media's "Pod Save America" podcast is facing accusations of temporarily removing a social media clip that included criticism of far-left streamer Hasan Piker. The podcast reposted a longer version of the clip after several hours of online backlash, including from a former special assistant to President Biden.
The original clip featured MSNBC host Chris Hayes and guest host Alex Wagner discussing the controversial ties of Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed to Piker. Piker has drawn widespread condemnation for past remarks, including blaming America for the 9/11 attacks and praising dictators like Mao Zedong and Fidel Castro. He has also faced criticism for downplaying the Hamas attacks of October 7.
During the discussion, Hayes commented on Piker's influence, stating, "I don’t think it makes a ton of sense in a general election, frankly, to campaign with Hasan Piker. I think you also can’t control what a 35-year-old streamer is going to say." Hayes added, "If Hasan Piker wants to contribute to the success of the movement, he’s probably going to have to watch what he says a lot more."
Michael LaRosa, who previously served as press secretary to former first lady Jill Biden, noticed the clip was missing from the podcast's X (formerly Twitter) page. LaRosa publicly criticized the removal, suggesting it was a reaction to moderates amplifying the content.
"WOW. This is remarkable. @PodSave America appears to have deleted the clip they themselves posted of @Chrislhayes and @alexwagner telling the truth about why Hasan Piker is a major liability and problem for El-Sayed," LaRosa wrote on X. "Apparently, their candor was refreshing right up until moderates like me started amplifying and celebrating it."
Hours after LaRosa's post and continued online discussion, a new, longer version of the clip was published. Gun control activist Shannon Watts also noted the clip's initial removal. LaRosa accused Crooked Media of deleting the clip before 9 a.m. ET on Monday, with the new version appearing after 3 p.m. ET. Watts suggested the podcast "wanted to make the clip longer and add more context."
LaRosa responded to Watts, stating, "Which means somebody from Piker's camp or El-Sayed's camp probably wined and cried and forced them to take down and recreate the content. Truly hysterical. But how embarrassing for ‘Pod Save America'."
Julian Epstein, who served as chief legal counsel for House Democrats during the Clinton impeachment hearings and worked on Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign, also expressed skepticism about Piker's influence. Epstein told Fox News Digital, "I don’t understand why people keep talking about Hasan Piker in the media because I think the guy is a lunatic."
"Pod Save America," hosted by former Obama White House staffers, has previously drawn attention from Biden allies. The show's hosts were among the first prominent Democrats to publicly suggest President Joe Biden should step aside in the 2024 election. The podcast also previously promoted the "cheap fakes" narrative regarding concerns about Biden's mental health.