Hasan Piker, known for his left-leaning views, faces criticism after making remarks about the wife of Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas. Over the weekend, Piker posted a comment on platform X targeting Gill’s family.
The exchange began when Gill criticized Piker following an Axios interview where Piker claimed the U.S. had committed more global terror than al Qaeda. Gill responded by questioning Piker’s American identity, stating, “Hasan Piker is the poster child for why we need to end birth tourism. He was born in America to Turkish nationals, was raised back in Turkey to hate western civilization, and now spends his time working to make America weaker and our enemies stronger.” In reply, Piker targeted Gill’s wife by stating, “your wife is indian.”
The comment drew widespread backlash. Dinesh D’Souza, Gill’s father-in-law and a conservative filmmaker, responded, “She’s Christian, born in America and her mom is white. Care to show us a picture of your family?” Gill also defended his wife, saying, “My wife is an American, born in America to American citizens. She deeply loves our nation and its culture. You, on the other hand, were born to foreign invaders and want to turn America into the third world culture you were raised in, while advocating for communism at your $3 million mansion in between electrocuting your dog.”
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W. Va., supported Gill, stating online, “Wrong. She’s a patriotic American, and you’re a terrorist (sympathizer) who hates this country and wants to destroy it. See the difference?” Others like Internet Accountability Project attorney Will Chamberlain commented on Gill’s wife, “she’s an American patriot, while you are a Turkish adversary.”
The incident attracted more backlash and commentary online. Trump ally Alex Bruesewitz remarked, “You don’t get it and you never will.” However, some defended Piker, criticizing the intense focus on his remarks.
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., also commented, “Imagine having to say ‘her mom is white’ for street cred[.] The self hating MAGA thing is so weird.”
Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital with prior experience at Daily Mail and CBS News, covers this unfolding situation. Follow her on Twitter at @liz_elkind for more updates, or send tips to [email protected].