Democratic-aligned entertainer Hasan Piker, known for making provocative statements, has claimed that the United States has committed more terrorism around the world than al-Qaeda, the group behind the September 11 attacks.
Piker, 35, a self-described Marxist influencer who has campaigned alongside prominent Democratic lawmakers during this election cycle, said the US has caused more terrorism than the Osama bin Laden-linked organization on a “pound-for-pound” basis.
“Pound for pound, as far as the number of deaths, yes, we have caused tremendous terror all around the world,” Piker said in a sit-down interview with Axios.
“I think that is not only terror that we are waging on regular civilians and nations in the periphery, but it’s also having consequences on ourselves.”
The socialist streamer has long criticized capitalism, conservatism, Trumpism and what he describes as the US military-industrial complex.
As an example of what he called US terrorism, Piker cited the bombing of a school in Minab, Iran, earlier this year.
On February 28, the first day of the US and Israel offensive against Iran, the US struck the Shajareh Tayyebeh Elementary School, killing an estimated 160 people, including 120 children, according to Iranian officials.
“There’s no distinction between blowing up a school, triple tapping it with Tomahawk missiles,” Piker said of the US strike. “If you’re killing 140 schoolgirls, that is an act of terror.”
Marxist influencer Hasan Piker, 35, said the United States has carried out more terrorism than al-Qaeda, the group responsible for planning the 9/11 attacks.
The streamer, who has more than 8.5 million followers, has campaigned with leading Democrats, including Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, pictured at bottom right.
‘There’s no distinction between blowing up a school, triple tapping it with Tomahawk missiles,’ Piker said of the US strike on the Minab school. ‘If you’re killing 140 schoolgirls, that is an act of terror’
‘This doesn’t mean that all Americans are terrorists, but the reality of the matter is, we have to create an environment of accountability to ensure things like that never happen again,’ Piker continued.
A recent UN mission to Iran found reason to believe that the US strike on the school constitutes a war crime, Reuters reported on Thursday.
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The US military errantly targeted the school, which was next to an Iranian military complex. Reports have indicated that the US targeting information was outdated.
The same report accused Iran of committing crimes against humanity.
Recently, Piker has been campaigning for Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. He has also campaigned for various New York socialist candidates running for the House.
His incendiary comments, including that America deserved 9/11,’ which he later apologized for, have made him a political lightning rod, which at times has concerned the candidates he has campaigned for.
El-Sayed has dodged many questions about his relationship with Piker and has referred to him as simply a ‘streamer in California.’
‘The reason I talk to Hasan isn’t because of Hasan, it’s because of the 3 million people who pay attention to what he has to say,’ the candidate recently told Fox 2 Detroit, putting distance between himself and Piker.
Piker typically streams his progressive political show from his home in Los Angeles
Piker has been embraced by progressive lawmakers like Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (left) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Prior to this al-Qaeda comment, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was the most prominent Democrat to condemn Piker by name, calling his rhetoric ‘unacceptable.’
The son of a wealthy Turkish executive, Piker spent time growing up in Istanbul and Ankara before attending college in his native New Jersey.
His uncle, Cenk Uygur, is the co-creator of The Young Turks show, a progressive show where Piker got his start.
The provocateur has 8.5 million followers across his social media platforms.