ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith has cautioned that the growing influence of left-wing streamer Hasan Piker could pose a liability for the Democratic Party in general elections. Smith suggested Piker's rhetoric might “contaminate the electorate on the left” and provide Republicans with political ammunition.
During an appearance on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns," Smith articulated his view that Piker’s political footprint could extend beyond the progressive base and ultimately harm Democratic candidates. "It's going to come back to haunt them," Smith stated.
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has previously sought to leverage Piker's association with Democratic figures. RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre indicated in August that Democrats were reluctant to address Piker's influence, particularly concerning Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, who had campaigned with the streamer. Baldassarre characterized Piker as a “terrorist sympathizer and an America-hating socialist,” and suggested Democratic refusal to disavow him indicated either shared ideology or cowardice.
Smith’s remarks come as Piker's role in Democratic politics has become a point of contention in the Michigan Senate race. A Fox News poll indicated Republican nominee Mike Rogers leading El-Sayed, with El-Sayed receiving strong support from Democratic Socialists of America members but less from non-DSA Democrats and independents.
El-Sayed has defended his engagement with Piker's audience, explaining to Smith that his aim was to connect with the "three million people" who follow the streamer. "What I'm saying is there are three million people who listen to Hasan," El-Sayed said. "I want to offer them a pathway into an electoral movement where, rather than sit outside of the electoral system, they see a pathway around the things that they agree with that he says that I agree with, and a pathway that disavows the things that I disagree with. And so it's important."
Smith interpreted this as an effort to court Piker's supporters rather than an endorsement of Piker himself. El-Sayed confirmed this interpretation.
Piker has previously faced controversy for remarks made in 2019 about 9/11, which he later retracted, and more recent comments concerning Israel and American Jews. He endorsed El-Sayed and participated in several campaign events.