ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith expressed concerns on Thursday that far-left streamer Hasan Piker could pose a risk for Democratic candidates in the upcoming general election. During an appearance on "The Conversation with Dasha Burns," Smith stated that Piker's influence might extend beyond the progressive base and provide Republicans with leverage against Democratic candidates who align with him.
Smith articulated that he believes Piker's increasing political presence could negatively affect the Democratic Party. "It’s a negative because I think, over the long haul, from a general populist perspective, it’s going to contaminate the electorate on the left side of the aisle," he said. "It’s going to come back to haunt them."
The Republican National Committee (RNC) has already attempted to leverage Piker's connections with Democratic candidates as part of a broader critique of the party. RNC national press secretary Natalie Baldassarre commented to Fox News Digital in August that Democrats have not adequately addressed Piker’s influence, particularly as Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed faced scrutiny for his association with the streamer.
Baldassarre stated, "El-Sayed is a terrorist sympathizer and an America-hating socialist. His refusal to distance himself from Hamas-hugging radicals like Hasan Piker reaffirms his true allegiance is to terrorist groups, not America. Democrats’ refusal to disavow this clown shows they either share his poisonous ideology or they’re too cowardly to confront it."
Smith's remarks come as Piker's involvement in Democratic politics has become a focal point in a significant Senate race. A recent Fox News poll indicated that Republican nominee Mike Rogers was leading El-Sayed 51% to 47%, which is within the margin of sampling error. While 98% of self-identified Democratic Socialists of America supporters backed El-Sayed, his support among non-DSA Democrats and independents dropped to 69%.
El-Sayed previously explained to Smith why he has resisted calls to disavow Piker, stating, "What I’m saying is there are 3 million people who listen to Hasan. I want to offer them a pathway into an electoral movement where, rather than sit outside of the electoral system, they see a pathway around the things that they agree with that he says that I agree with and a pathway that disavows the things that I disagree with. And, so, it’s important."
Smith summarized El-Sayed’s strategy as an effort to attract Piker’s audience rather than a personal endorsement of the streamer. "So, you’re not thinking about him. You’re thinking about the 3 million people that support him, and you’re trying to get those votes. That’s what you’re saying?" Smith asked, to which El-Sayed confirmed.
Fox News Digital reported last week that El-Sayed attempted to distance his campaign from Piker following backlash over comments the streamer made regarding American Jews and Israel. Piker has endorsed El-Sayed and participated in several campaign events, including his primary night gathering. Piker has been involved in controversy over his political rhetoric, including a 2019 statement that "America deserved 9/11," which he later retracted, as well as recent comments about Israel and American Jews.