Hasan Piker Says Talarico Must Answer to the Left If Elected 

During a heavily scrutinized event at the University of Texas, left-wing streamer Hasan Piker spoke about the contested U.S. Senate race between Democrat James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, saying he would pressure Talarico to govern as a leftist if he wins the election. 

“Hopefully, Inshallah, after James Talarico wins,” Piker said, we’ve got to hold him to account. We’ve got to make sure that he doesn’t become another do-nothing Democrat, business as usual, and we’ve got to keep up that pressure.” 

“We have to remind him that we are the force that backed him both early on,” Piker continued. “We are the force that allowed him to win this seat of power, and if he wants to maintain it, he’s got to play ball. Right?” 

Piker is an internet personality and political commentator who has gained a large following on the livestreaming platform Twitch and has become a prominent voice on the political left. His past comments have drawn controversy, including a 2019 remark that the United States “deserved” the 9/11 terrorist attacks. More recently, Piker said the United States engages in more terrorism than al-Qaeda “pound for pound.”  

Piker has also praised Cea Weaver, an aide in New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration, after Weaver previously made remarks about “impoverishing the white middle class.” Piker called Weaver “awesome” and described her as being in “beast mode.” 

Talarico has faced scrutiny over his associations with individuals who have made controversial comments, as well as questions surrounding changes in some of his political positions. 

The Daily Signal previously reported on a Texas reverend whom Talarico has said influenced him as a Christian. The reverend criticized evangelical Christians, saying they are “just not that smart.”  

The Daily Signal also reported that a super PAC supporting Talarico has received $11.5 million from Reid Hoffman, the LinkedIn co-founder and billionaire venture capitalist. Hoffman has faced scrutiny over his past relationship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The Texas Tribune reported that documents released by the Justice Department showed Hoffman and Epstein maintained a relationship after Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to soliciting a minor for prostitution and registered as a sex offender. 

Talarico’s record in the Texas Legislature has also drawn criticism from opponents over his positions on religious and social issues. He has opposed efforts to place the Bible in public schools and has cited Scripture while discussing abortion. He also voted against legislation concerning gender-transition procedures and treatments for minors. 

Piker’s appearance at the University of Texas at Austin drew criticism from several Texas officials before the event. 

Democrat U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar said Piker’s scheduled appearance was “deeply concerning.” 

“Free speech allows difficult and controversial views, but it does not require anyone to stay silent when someone has a history of hateful comments about Jewish Americans, 9/11, and Hamas terrorism,” Cuellar wrote. “UT should be a place for debate, learning, and respect, not antisemitism or rhetoric that excuses terrorism.” 

Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, also criticized Piker’s appearance in comments to the Jerusalem News Syndicate.  

“Hasan Piker said America deserved 9/11 and praised the brutal terrorist organization Hamas. University Democrats at UT Austin are choosing to amplify that disgusting rhetoric,” Mahaleris said. 

“Terrorist sympathizers have no place in Texas,” he added. 

Piker has pushed back against criticism of his appearance, arguing that efforts to cancel his event at a public university raised free-speech concerns. 

Talarico did not respond to a request for comment by the time of publication. 

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