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Controversial far-left Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, who has become increasingly prominent in Democratic politics, is facing backlash from Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., over his remarks about American Jews’ support for Israel that she characterized as “talk of violence” targeting Jewish Michigan state Sen. Jeremy Moss.
In a statement published Monday, Scholten said Piker was “a hack who thrives on hate, shock and awe because he lacks substance.”
“Hasan Piker’s talk of violence against American Jews, and directly naming a Michigan elected official, and future member of Congress, Jeremy Moss, is unacceptable. Full stop,” Scholten’s statement read. “We should all be calling out this disgusting rhetoric so it loses its grip on our politics once and for all. It has no place in Michigan, and no place in our country.”
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Piker, who holds a large social media following, has been particularly visible in Michigan this election cycle. He backed Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in a primary earlier this month. El-Sayed was criticized for appearing with Piker during his campaign, with some saying that the streamer’s rhetoric was too extreme.
Scholten backed Stevens last month, calling her a “smart, capable, and common-sense leader.” She later praised Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for endorsing Stevens.
El-Sayed also responded to Piker’s comments, and while he did not condemn the streamer outright, he denounced antisemitism and rhetoric that puts the Jewish community in danger.
“I believe all Americans deserve the right to advocate for what they believe without fear of violence. This is particularly true for communities that have been intimidated for their beliefs in the past,” El-Sayed wrote.
“My commitment to Jewish safety is the same as my commitment to the safety of my own daughters,” he added. “Antisemitism is a scourge, and we need to address it in all its forms. And I stand against any rhetoric that puts the community at risk.”
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In his statement, El-Sayed stressed that Piker did not speak for his campaign, writing that, “nobody speaks for this campaign besides me and my campaign spokespeople.”
In addition to politicians, Piker was also criticized by Jewish organizations. The American Jewish Committee (AJC) said on Monday that by using an image of Moss, “Piker put a target on the backs of Sen. Moss, Jewish candidates and officeholders, and American Jews alike.”
“Blaming Jews for the antisemitism directed at them is itself antisemitism,” AJC wrote on X. “Every public official who has shared his platform now has a choice: denounce this and walk away, or be complicit. There is no third option.”
During his Aug. 20 stream, Piker seemed to warn American Jews against supporting Israel, saying that doing so could lead to violence against them.
“People don’t f— with Israel any longer. And if Jews in America keep putting this idea out there that they’re singularly invested in Israel, eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews,” Piker said.
When he made the comment, Piker had an image of Moss, who is running to fill Stevens’ seat, in his background.
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Piker’s remarks came amid a controversy over an audio clip circulating online in which Moss purportedly said that the “entire purpose” of his congressional campaign was to ensure America’s continued support for Israel.
However, the Michigan Democrat said that the clip was fabricated, calling it “a manipulated and unsourced audio, with things I never did and never would say.”
“We are in a dangerous era of disinformation. Circulating a lie because it affirms your bias or belief is equally bad whether it comes from the left or the right. We all have a choice not to spread fabricated images, videos, and audio about candidates and campaigns. We all have a role in stopping the erosion of our democracy,” Moss said about the controversy over the audio clip.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Piker and Moss for comment.
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