Far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker defended his right to express hatred for the United States, stating it is a "God-given" and "constitutionally protected" liberty. Piker made these remarks during a livestream Friday, in response to an attack ad that highlighted his past controversial statements, including claiming to "hate" America. The ad linked Piker's rhetoric to Abdul El-Sayed, a progressive Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan.
Piker argued that his strong negative statements about the country are a reaction to the actions of the American government. "Of course I'm a God---- American. It is my God---- God-given and constitutionally protected right to say I hate America if America is actually f---ing over Americans," Piker stated on his stream. He criticized the notion that his sentiments make him an "America hater," a label he said is being applied by some liberals and the majority of the Republican Party.
He further elaborated on his frustration with the government's handling of domestic issues, questioning why more people are not angry about the nation's wealth and prosperity not being distributed to care for its citizens. "How can you not get angry and resentful about a government that does nothing to treat its sickly, to feed its hungry, to feed its starving, to shelter its homeless, when we have all the money we have an abundance of wealth and prosperity, and we just refuse to spread it around?" he asked.
El-Sayed has previously faced criticism for campaigning with Piker. The Michigan Democrat has since distanced himself from the streamer as his general election campaign progresses. Piker himself has acknowledged using "controversial" language, particularly concerning his past comments suggesting America "deserved" 9/11. While defending his critique of U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East, Piker conceded that the word "deserved" was an inappropriate choice in that context.