Hasan Piker is a self-described Marxist who lives in a multi-million-dollar condo in West Hollywood, drives a Mercedes and makes millions of dollars every year spewing hateful commentary about America, capitalism and, of course, Israel.
asserted
who → describe → course
He was born in New Jersey to a well-to-do family, grew up in Turkey and says he is a non-practicing Muslim.
asserted
he → bear → Turkey
That’s it.
asserted
That → ’ → ?
He hasn’t developed a new political philosophy, created an innovative technology, run a significant organization, or served in our country’s military.
asserted
He → develop → military
Nonetheless, he has gathered millions of followers on Twitch, a platform mostly used by video game enthusiasts, by saying outrageous things like, "America deserved 9/11".
asserted
America → gather → 9/11
Most people have never heard of Piker, but suddenly stories about him are popping up everywhere.
asserted
stories → hear → him
Rolling Stone, for instance, published a fawning piece that described Piker as a "matinee-handsome progressive icon who’s uniquely talented at translating radical-left politics for Gen Z bros."
asserted
who → publish → bros
Piker is the new favorite of the radical Left, campaigning with the likes of Abdul El-Sayed, who is running for a vacant senate seat in Michigan, and is the darling of progressives like Bernie Sanders and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
asserted
who → campaign → Sanders
Democrats, though, are divided about how to handle Piker.
asserted
Democrats → divide → Piker
On the one hand, his f-bomb-laden self-absorbed commentary offends most people.
asserted
commentary → lade → people
On the other, he appeals to a cohort Democrats are desperately trying to woo: young men.
asserted
Democrats → appeal → cohort
President Trump made inroads with numerous Democrat-aligned groups in 2016 and 2024, but none was more consequential than his appeal to young males.
asserted
none → make → males
In 2024, Trump won men by 12 points after winning that cohort by only 2 points in 2020.
asserted
Trump → win → 2020
Men ages 18-49 went for Trump by 1 point after they chose former President Joe Biden by 10 points in 2020.
asserted
they → go → 2020
The hectoring "me-too"-empowered feminism of the Democrat Party, which hates "toxic masculinity" has understandably alienated America’s young men.
asserted
which → hector → men
Democrats have embarrassed themselves in recent years trying to reverse those losses by concocting stunts aimed at attracting male Millennials (29-45 year-olds) and members of Gen Z (13-29 year-olds).
asserted
Democrats → embarrass → Z
Kamala Harris’ running mate Minnesota Governor Tim Walz set out to show off his red-blooded Midwestern hunting prowess during the 2024 presidential campaign, but fumbled around loading a shotgun; he was further humiliated by staging a video in which he tinkers with his International Harvester Scout engine like, you know, a real guy, but with spotlessly clean hands.
asserted
you → set → hands
The same quest has led Democrats to seek out rugged candidates like Graham Platner, their pick to run against Senator Susan Collins in Maine.
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quest → lead → Maine
Platner had it all – an oysterman and veteran who was described by GQ as "the virile, earthy working man many male politicians wish they were."
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they → have → man
Given that he so perfectly fit the script, Platner was forgiven many peccadillos by Democrats before facing accusations of rape and being drummed out of the race.
asserted
Platner → give → race
All Democrats seem to lace their discourse today with foul language; they apparently think that’s part of Trump’s locker-room appeal.
asserted
that → seem → appeal
With Trump, the f-bombs sound genuine; from his opponents, they do not.
asserted
they → sound → opponents
Except for Hasan Piker, who curses routinely and appeals to young men online looking for someone to hate.
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who → curse → someone
Piker has chalked up some wins, like being an early supporter of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, and some notable losses, like backing Francesca Hong, a gubernatorial candidate in Wisconsin who lost to a moderate Democrat despite polls showing her up by some 20 points.
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who → chalk → points
Evidently Hong’s past comments about wanting to cancel Thanksgiving and abolish the police did not sit well with voters.
asserted
comments → want → voters
AOC and Bernie were smart enough to steer clear of Hong’s comically bad run, but Piker jumped all-in.
asserted
Piker → steer → run
He was furious that she lost and blamed her defeat on Boomers, saying "Outlaw Thanksgiving and outlaw boomers."
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she → lose → boomers
Most recently, Piker whined that Democrats should be defending him.
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Democrats → whine → him
In one of his daily streams, Piker demanded, "Not because you love what I have to say, not because I'm part of this coalition, even though I am, whether you like it or not…"
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you → demand → it
His plea surfaced after several Democrats distanced themselves from Piker, declaring him a danger to their party.
asserted
him → surface → party
Lefty media host Joe Scarborough blasted Democrat leaders for not denouncing Piker after the streamer said about Hamas: "it doesn’t matter if rape happened on Oct. 7."
asserted
rape → blast → Oct.
Shannon Watts, a Democratic activist, recently mocked his efforts to scrub past incendiary remarks, saying he uses his "defense Bingo card: ‘It’s a joke, satire, hyperbole.
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It → mock → card
It’s out of context.
asserted
It → ’ → context
Watts elaborated, "English is my second language.
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English → elaborate → ?
I stream for hours.
asserted
I → stream → hours
Critics are being paid for Israel.’
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Critics → pay → Israel
But many in the party see Piker as helping to drive turnout and enthusiasm.
asserted
many → see → turnout
El-Sayed reportedly saw a 29% boost in volunteer sign-ups after rallying with Piker, as well as a jump in donations.
uncertain
Sayed → see → donations
And, they see engagement with those all-important young male voters.
asserted
they → see → voters
Piker wants to be taken seriously, but his appeal comes after refusing to endorse Democrats who support Israel, including former Vice President Kamala Harris.
asserted
who → want → Harris
…and 8 more, not listed.
The Aporia
