Hasan Piker draws fresh scrutiny after framing newspaper covering 9/11 attacks in stream background
Hasan Piker faced renewed scrutiny after viewers spotted what appeared to be a framed newspaper front page reporting the 9/11 attacks in his Twitch stream background.
Controversial streamer Hasan Piker is facing renewed scrutiny over a recent addition to his visual background during his streams. Viewers noticed what appeared to be a framed copy of the front page of a newspaper with an image of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.
The earliest livestream reviewed by Fox News Digital showing the newspaper in the background was broadcast on July 13. The front page appears to be The New York Times' Sept. 12, 2001, edition, which was headlined, "U.S. Attacked: Hijacked Jets Destroy Twin Towers and Hit Pentagon in Day of Terror." The X account DSA Watch on Tuesday posted a clip of Piker's stream, where he discussed the newspaper front page framed on the wall behind him.
"You might have noticed something, some changes behind me. I finally framed the cutie Cinderella newspaper from 9/11, the morning of 9/12… the newspaper that covered 9/11. It's now officially sitting behind me," he told viewers earlier this month.
Piker was widely criticized after saying that "America deserved 9/11" during a stream in 2019. After facing immense backlash, Piker said in an interview that he "obviously" did not mean that America deserved the attacks and accused critics of disregarding "the actual truth of what I was talking about," explaining the viral quote as a critique of U.S. foreign policy.
"I should have used more precise and better use of language there," Piker said in the interview. "It's messed up that I would give the opportunity to the right to try to morally grandstand on an issue like this when they are 100% responsible for all the bloodshed that has been caused."
He later admitted in the interview that his comments on 9/11 were "inappropriate."
The renewed attention comes as Piker's influence spreads beyond his hours-long streams.
Piker was featured as a speaker at the College Democrats of America's (CDA) convention, held in Washington, D.C., from July 17 through July 19. Other speakers included Leaders We Deserve founder David Hogg, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, as well as Democratic lawmakers and political influencers, according to CDA's Instagram posts. However, none drew as much scrutiny as Piker.
The streamer was mocked for wearing what many described as a Mao Zedong-esque jacket while going off on "Democrats who compromise, who conciliate, and who betray us."
"No more to the fascist reactionaries, but no more to the Democrats who will collaborate and cooperate with the fascists, who will fund ICE, who will fund Israel, who will help poison the planet, who will stiff workers and help bosses," Piker said.
WISCONSIN DEMOCRAT DOWNPLAYS APPEARING ON HASAN PIKER'S SHOW, DOESN'T 'ENDORSE' EVERYTHING HE SAYS
One of the co-sponsors for the event, J Street U, the campus arm of left-leaning J Street, which aims to be the "political home and voice for pro-Israel, pro-peace, pro-democracy Americans," faced backlash for its affiliation. Jeremy Ben Ami, the organization's founder, pushed back on the criticism in a post on X.
"J Street U was proud to sponsor and participate in the College Democrats Convention. We had no role in the selection of speakers, including the decision to have Hasan Piker as a surprise guest, with whom we have many disagreements," Ben Ami told Fox News Digital.
"Being in venues like this is even more important when there are participants with whom we disagree. Failing to show up would have been an abdication of our responsibility to make the case for our pro-Israel views," he added.
Ben Ami did not clarify where J Street's views diverge from Piker's nor where they align.
DSA Watch was one of the groups that criticized Piker's CDA convention speech, and the Twitch streamer hit back.
While addressing the criticisms of his speech in a stream, Piker made several claims about DSA Watch, including saying that it was "a right-wing operation" and "most likely a hasbara operation as well," meaning an Israeli operation. DSA Watch denied the claims and said Piker's "source" was related to "a failed dox attempt."
The CDA Jewish Caucus also objected to Piker's inclusion in the convention, calling him "antisemitic and misogynistic."
"The normalization of Piker and his rhetoric in CDA-sanctioned programming is a direct threat to Jewish safety and inclusion within the College Democrats community. Applying a double standard to the safety and representation of Jewish students is a manifestation of antisemitism and is inconsistent with our shared Democratic values of inclusion, respect for diverse communities, and concern for the safety and belonging of all members," a statement from the caucus read.
Following the release of the CDA Jewish Caucus' statement, the Anti-Defamation League weighed in, expressing its disappointment that CDA chose to have Piker at its convention.
"It's deeply concerning to see the next generation of political leaders help normalize antisemitism rather than reject it," the ADL wrote on X.
The CDA convention speech and the framed Sept. 12, 2001, newspaper have added new layers to the ongoing debate over Piker's inclusion in Democratic political circles.
Some Democrats, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, State Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, D-N.Y., and activist Darializa Avila Chevalier, have campaigned with Piker. The campaign appearances sparked debates among Democrats over whether embracing Piker would help them reach younger voters or if he was worth the heat given his rhetoric.
Fox News Digital reached out to Piker and CDA for comment.