The progressive podcast “Pod Save America” found itself in hot water after a social media clip critical of streamer Hasan Piker was temporarily removed, only to be reposted in a longer format following significant online backlash. The incident drew sharp criticism from former Biden administration officials and other prominent figures who accused the podcast of caving to pressure.
Criticism of Hasan Piker’s Rhetoric
The controversy began during an episode of “Pod Save America” featuring guest host Alex Wagner and MSNBC’s Chris Hayes discussing the current state of Democratic politics. The conversation turned to Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed’s association with Hasan Piker, a popular far-left streamer known for controversial statements. Piker has faced widespread condemnation for past remarks, including suggesting that the United States deserved the September 11th attacks and praising figures like Mao Zedong and Fidel Castro. More recently, he has been criticized for downplaying the Hamas attacks of October 7th.
During the podcast, Chris Hayes expressed reservations about El-Sayed campaigning with Piker. “I don’t think it makes a ton of sense in a general election, frankly, to campaign with Hasan Piker,” Hayes stated. He added that while Piker streams extensively and is bound to say things, he needs to understand the responsibility that comes with his platform. “If Hasan Piker wants to contribute to the success of the movement, he’s probably going to have to watch what he says a lot more,” Hayes advised.
Allegations of Clip Deletion
Michael LaRosa, a former special assistant to President Biden and press secretary to former First Lady Jill Biden, was among the first to notice that a clip of this critical exchange, which had been posted on X (formerly Twitter) by “Pod Save America,” had been deleted. LaRosa, who had recently broken with his party over El-Sayed’s candidacy, publicly called out the podcast for removing the content.
“WOW. This is remarkable. @PodSave America appears to have deleted the clip they themselves posted of @Chrislhayes and @alexwagner telling the truth about why Hasan Piker is a major liability and problem for El-Sayed,” LaRosa wrote on X. He further commented, “Apparently, their candor was refreshing right up until moderates like me started amplifying and celebrating it.”
Other figures, including gun control activist Shannon Watts, also noted the clip’s removal. LaRosa pointed out that the clip was deleted before 9 a.m. ET on Monday, and a replacement version did not appear until after 3 p.m. ET.
Podcast Responds with Longer Clip
Following the outcry, “Pod Save America” reposted a longer version of the clip. Shannon Watts suggested that the podcast intended to add more context, but LaRosa speculated that pressure from Piker’s or El-Sayed’s camps might have prompted the takedown and re-upload. “Which means somebody from Piker’s camp or El-Sayed’s camp probably wined and cried and forced them to take down and recreate the content. Truly hysterical. But how embarrassing for ‘Pod Save America’,” LaRosa remarked.
Broader Concerns About Piker’s Influence
The debate over El-Sayed’s association with Piker extends beyond this specific incident. Julian Epstein, who served as chief legal counsel for House Democrats during the Clinton impeachment hearings and worked on Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign, stated his support for the Republican candidate against El-Sayed, citing the streamer’s controversial views.
“I don’t understand why people keep talking about Hasan Piker in the media because I think the guy is a lunatic,” Epstein told reporters. “He’s a shock jock, but he’s never demonstrated any understanding of economic or history in my mind. What he understands is influencer culture and how to say shocking things.”
The situation highlights the ongoing challenge for Democratic candidates in navigating associations with figures who hold extreme views, particularly in the lead-up to general elections. The “Pod Save America” podcast, hosted by former Obama White House staffers, has previously drawn criticism from allies of the Biden administration, including for discussions about President Biden’s fitness for office and for promoting the “cheap fakes” narrative regarding videos of the president.
Conclusion
The temporary deletion and subsequent reposting of the clip underscore the delicate balance political figures and media outlets must strike when engaging with controversial personalities. While “Pod Save America” eventually provided a more extended version of the segment, the initial removal fueled accusations of censorship and political expediency, prompting a broader discussion about the influence of online personalities in political discourse.
