Hasan Piker, criticized by some Democrats as divisive, joins Ilhan Omar, Omar Fateh for event
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Left-wing livestreamer Hasan Piker and Democratic U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar joined DFL state Sen. Omar Fateh on Monday evening for an event some Democrats criticized as divisive.
Piker is a self-described democratic-socialist and popular figure with many younger progressives who feel unrepresented by the Democratic Party. He has backed Democratic candidates like New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed of Michigan.
Some Democrats, including governor hopeful U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, criticized Piker for past statements they deemed offensive and chided Omar and Fateh for appearing with someone they deem a polarizing figure on the eve of an election.
The event billed as “I’m the Host Now!” was held at the Theatre in the Round, a small venue with 245 seats in the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood in Minneapolis. The event was advertised as a curated conversation series hosted by Fateh and organized by a local group, Baddies 4 Progress, and communications firm Haus of C.
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MPR News was invited to cover the event, then denied access at the last minute by Fateh, who said media was barred because of space concerns.
Erik Tanner, an event attendee from Mankato, said he used to not be politically involved until recently and believes democratic-socialism is the future of the party.
“We gotta move a little bit further over than where we're at, and the Democrats that are in charge right now don't really seem to be all that interested in doing that,” Tanner said.
Janette Corcelius, a Democratic Socialists of America member, said the condemnation from top Democratic officials was a “big mistake.”
“This is a really big election. The midterms can really turn the tide, especially as we're descending into fascism because of the Trump administration,” she said. “I think that they should have stood by him and Ilhan Omar and Omar Fateh and seen this as an opportunity to galvanize the youth and get the youth to vote for them.”
Before the event, Piker drew support in a surprise appearance at the University of Minnesota, driving around campus to give a ride to students to vote early.
