Radical Socialist Twitch streamer Hasan Piker announced that he was in Wisconsin on Sunday to campaign for Socialist State Rep. Francesca Hong in the Democratic primary for governor.
“I am in the people’s republic of wisconsin, the heart of the historic american socialist movement,” Piker said on X. “we are going to elect francesca hong as this beautiful states next governor.”
Piker, a popular online commentator with millions of followers and known for his virulent anti-American views, has a well-documented record of extreme, violent rhetoric. In a 2019 Twitch stream, he stated, “America deserved 9/11, dude. F*** it, I’m saying it.” He later tried to escape the backlash to his remark by claiming it was a critique of U.S. foreign policy. Nothing from the stream indicated that this was true; the context of his remarks made it clear to viewers that it was his sincere belief that America deserved 9/11.
In another earlier stream, discussing landlords and property owners, Piker said: “Kill them. Kill those motherf***era. Murder those motherf***ers in the street. Let the streets soak in their f***ing red capitalist blood, dude.”
He has since called the comments hyperbolic and not sincere advocacy for the murder of landlords. However, Piker has repeatedly called for the seizure of private property and has made similarly threatening remarks to those he considers his political enemies.
Hong, a Madison Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, appeared on Piker’s livestream in late June. The roughly 90-minute appearance helped her campaign raise more than $57,000. Piker had previously indicated he would travel to Wisconsin to support her if the stream hit certain fundraising thresholds.
Hong has faced questions about her affiliation with Piker and the fact that she shares nearly every one of his radical views. She has repeatedly refused to condemn him, saying in interviews after her appearance on his stream that she condemns hatred, discrimination, antisemitism and Islamophobia in general terms and adding that appearing on platforms does not mean she endorses everything said by hosts or guests.
She has maintained that candidates need to reach voters in various spaces, while avoiding direct repudiation of Piker’s specific past statements on 9/11 or calls for violence against capitalists. Rival Democrats in the primary have been more critical, with some calling Piker’s comments “beyond the pale” and saying they would not appear with him.
Piker’s visit comes a little more than a week before the August 11 primary. Hong is considered an overwhelming favorite to win the Democratic nomination.
