A former staffer of President Biden accused Crooked Media’s “Pod Save America” of deleting a social media clip that criticized streamer Hasan Piker. The liberal podcast later reposted a longer version following backlash.
In the latest episode, featuring Chris Hayes and guest host Alex Wagner, the discussion centered on Democratic politics. During the episode, Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s association with Piker was criticized. This association has been contentious due to Piker’s controversial comments, including his statement blaming the United States for the September 11 attacks.
Piker has also made controversial remarks about various historical dictators and recent geopolitical events. This has led to Democratic debates about his role in campaigns and his impact on elections.
During the episode, Hayes noted that campaigning with Piker might not be wise in a general election. He added that Piker, known for streaming extensively, might need to be more cautious with his words.
“Pod Save America” hosts noticed their clip was removed from X before reposting a longer version. The deletion drew attention from political figures, including former special assistant Michael LaRosa, who publicly criticized Piker’s influence on El-Sayed’s campaign.
The clip’s removal and subsequent repost sparked online debate. Shannon Watts, a gun control activist, suggested the clip was lengthened to add context. Critics speculated the decision might have come from pressure by supporters of Piker or El-Sayed.
Crooked Media did not reply to requests for comment. However, hours of online backlash resulted in the podcast releasing a revised version of the discussion.
LaRosa highlighted the timing of the clip’s reappearance. He implied that reactions from moderate Democrats, like himself, led to the podcast’s adjustment.
Julian Epstein, a previous legal counsel for House Democrats, also criticized Piker, calling him a “shock jock” without substantive understanding of economic or historical matters.
“Pod Save America” has a history of tension with Biden allies, having previously suggested Biden step aside for the 2024 election. The podcast had also addressed concerns about misleading clips suggesting Biden’s mental health decline.