<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Left-wing Twitch streamer <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/hasan-piker/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hasan Piker</a> stated that his 2019 remark suggesting America deserved <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/9-11/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">9/11</a> was not as harmful as President <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Donald Trump’s</a> comments that <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/san-diego/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">San Diego</a> and <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/los-angeles/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Los Angeles</a> should be "taken out" by Iran.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Piker’s past statements made during livestreams have generated numerous clips for Republicans to use in their campaigns, equating him with Democratic candidates in the midterm elections, and framing those who campaigned with him, such as Michigan’s Abdul el Sayed, as anti-American.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Imagine a socialist ‘mispeaking’ like this? oh wait … i said something far less damaging than this in 2019 & its currently the only gop midterm strategy,” Piker, a member of <a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/democratic-socialists-of-america/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Democratic Socialists of America</a>, said.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Piker speculated that Democrats who often express concern about Republicans will not criticize Trump for his remarks. The streamer, who resides in California, is critical of the establishment wing of the Democratic Party, which views him as too far left due to his rhetoric.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“But i’m sure dems who leaned into the concern trolling by the gop, won’t make an equal fuss abt the president!” Piker stated.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">The statement that prompted Piker to draw a comparison was made by Trump during a midterm campaign rally in Nebraska. While defending his administration’s actions regarding Iran, Trump remarked that the war is a “small price to pay” for safety in the homeland, suggesting that the “small price” could involve Iran targeting a U.S. city.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“Let ’em take out Los Angeles, let ’em take out San Diego,” Trump said. “This is a very small price to pay.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump’s comments received backlash from Democrats in California, including Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who stated he would instruct the State Threat Assessment Center to monitor the situation if Iran took Trump’s remarks seriously.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump’s Rapid Response X account claimed the comments had been misinterpreted, stating that he was making a broader point about the potential costs of war.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">“No, he didn’t, you buffoons,” the <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/2107456748353368076" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">social media post said</a>. “He was saying the U.S. is fighting to STOP Iran from having the ability to take out LA and San Diego with a nuclear weapon — which they would if they had the chance.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph"><strong><a href="https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4755362/california-trump-iran-los-angeles-san-diego-war-cost/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS FURIOUS OVER TRUMP’S LOS ANGELES SAN DIEGO IRAN REMARKS</a></strong></p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Piker has previously defended himself against GOP criticisms using clips from his livestreams, and he has apologized for his earlier remarks, clarifying that he was commenting on U.S. foreign policy rather than the victims of the terrorist attack.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Piker is aware of how his digital presence is utilized by the GOP and has argued that Republicans elevate his statements to distract from issues such as affordability and the economy.</p>