Twitch streamer Hasan Piker admitted Friday that he has toned down his commentary after drawing public criticism for appearing alongside Democratic candidates, as reported [1] by Fox News.
The progressive commentator discussed the mounting controversy during an interview with “Pod Save America” co-host Jon Lovett.
The conversation followed Piker’s Axios interview last week, in which he described America as “pound for pound” worse than al-Qaeda on terrorism.
His past statements have become a political headache as his involvement in Democratic campaigns has received nationwide attention.
Piker argued that many of his remarks [2] have been pulled “out of context” or separated from longer statements.
Still, he acknowledged that the response has caused him to think more carefully about his language and soften his rhetoric.
“There’s also the third thing, which is like actual positions that I hold, actual opinions that I have that are unbelievably antagonistic to those in positions of power, that when they hear that, they like lose their minds,” Piker said.
“They don’t know how to deal with it. And when I’m faced with a question like that, I have to in my mind make this calculation of: Should I be honest about what I believe? Should I take a principled stance on something, or should I portray myself as a campaign surrogate and act as though I am running for office?”
Piker then offered the admission at the center of the controversy. He said his political campaign appearances have influenced the way he presents his views publicly.
“And I’ve definitely dialed down. I know it doesn’t seem like it. And I’ve definitely dialed down my commentary with that in mind for sure.”
Piker did not identify which views or statements he had softened. Instead, he suggested the criticism aimed at him has gained traction because Republicans “don’t really have a good midterm message.”
“Just because it’s their most successful narrative doesn’t mean that it’s going to be successful in winning elections for them. And I don’t think it will be successful in winning elections for them at all,” Piker said.
The streamer also pointed to his travels around the country and his audience in numerous places.
He acknowledged that Republicans and some liberals do not like him, but dismissed the idea that controversy surrounding a Twitch personality would drive voters.
“Because look, I’ve gone all up and down the country. I have fans in many places all around this beautiful country. And you know, there’s obviously a lot of Republicans that don’t like me and maybe even some liberals that don’t like me, but by and large, the idea that a Twitch streamer is supposed to be held to a higher standard than the president is such an insane phenomena that it could only be concocted by a bunch of out-of-touch people in mainstream outlets that think this is a salient narrative that will definitely work because people don’t care.”
Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment. His national profile has risen after he campaigned with Michigan U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed during the Democratic primary election.
Since winning the Democratic primary, El-Sayed has attempted to create distance between himself and Piker.
He has repeatedly called Piker a “streamer from California” with no relevance to the race, despite their multiple previous appearances together.
Other Democratic figures have also criticized Piker as scrutiny of his controversial commentary continued.
Among those remarks was his suggestion that Jewish Americans were bringing violence upon themselves because of their support for Israel.
Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin distanced the party from Piker during a Tuesday interview with Fox News Digital.
Martin called Piker’s comments “deplorable” and rejected any suggestion that the streamer represented the party or its candidates.
“Let me just say that I think it’s absolutely disgusting and deplorable the things that Hasan Piker has said,” Martin said.
“But he does not represent the Democratic Party, and he certainly doesn’t represent the viewpoints of almost every one of our candidates and our elected officials.”
Piker’s admission that he has dialed down his commentary arrives as Democrats who appeared with him face questions about those associations.
Even after adjusting his rhetoric, however, Piker continues to blame Republicans and mainstream outlets for turning his statements into a campaign issue.