Who is Hasan Piker – and why are some conservatives outraged about his return to the ABC?
The leftwing commentator has been invited to appear on the Planet America program in Australia on Monday night The ABC is set to air the return of its Planet America program on Monday night as the US midterm elections gain steam, with a new episode featuring the leftwing commentator Hasan Piker. Host John Barron said the episode will focus on the “rise of Democratic socialists and the populist…
Hasan Piker is a well-known left-wing commentator in the United States, with over 3 million followers on Twitch and a large presence on YouTube and Instagram. He hosts the Planet America program on Monday night, which will focus on the rise of Democratic socialists and the populist left. However, his appearance has sparked outrage among conservatives in Australia.
James Morrow, a host on News Corp's News24, criticized the ABC for inviting Piker, questioning if the network believes it is immune to consequences. Barron, the host of Planet America, encouraged critics to watch the interview before judging it, stating that Piker is a central figure in the 2026 US election. Piker is a 35-year-old streamer who has built a significant following by discussing American foreign policy, capitalism, LGBTQ+ rights, and criticizing the Democratic establishment.
He has faced backlash for his extreme opinions, including a comment comparing the US to the September 11 terrorist attacks. In 2019, the British government banned him from entering the country due to concerns about his presence not being conducive to the public good. The ABC interviewed Piker regarding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September, which led to 68 complaints to the network.
Piker has maintained that he is not antisemitic and strongly opposes Zionism and Israel's policies on the Gaza war.
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