Twitch streamer Hasan Piker is again facing criticism after viewers observed a framed front page of The New York Times from September 12, 2001, reporting on the Sept. 11 attacks, displayed in the background of his streams. The earliest observed instance of the framed newspaper was in a stream broadcast on July 13.
Piker, known for his left-wing political commentary, has a history of controversy surrounding the 9/11 attacks. In 2019, he stated during a stream that "America deserved 9/11." He later clarified that he did not literally mean the U.S. deserved the attacks, explaining his comment as a critique of U.S. foreign policy and admitting the language was "inappropriate."
Convention Speech and Backlash
The renewed attention on Piker comes as his influence extends into political organizing. He was a featured speaker at the College Democrats of America (CDA) convention held from July 17 to July 19 in Washington, D.C. During his speech, Piker criticized Democrats who "compromise, who conciliate, and who betray us," and advocated for a "left-wing takeover of the Democratic Party."
His participation in the convention drew criticism. The CDA Jewish Caucus issued a statement calling Piker "antisemitic and misogynistic" and warning that his normalization within the organization posed a threat to Jewish safety and inclusion. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) also expressed disappointment, stating it was "deeply concerning to see the next generation of political leaders help normalize antisemitism rather than reject it."
J Street U, the campus arm of the left-leaning advocacy group J Street, co-sponsored the event. Jeremy Ben Ami, founder of J Street, stated that his organization had no role in selecting speakers, including Piker, with whom they have "many disagreements."
Piker also responded to criticism of his convention speech, alleging that groups like DSA Watch, which had criticized his inclusion, were "a right-wing operation" and possibly a "hasbara operation," terms DSA Watch denied. The streamer previously engaged in a debate with J Street over his comments, with Ben Ami noting that his organization disagreed with Piker on certain issues.
Broader Political Connections
Piker's involvement in Democratic political circles has been a subject of debate. Politicians such as Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed and New York State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez have previously campaigned with Piker. These appearances have sparked discussions within the Democratic Party about whether aligning with Piker helps engage younger voters or if the controversy surrounding his rhetoric is a liability.