Rep. Ilhan Omar (D‑Minn.) is scheduled to appear alongside far‑left internet personality Hasan Piker on Monday night at a sold‑out venue in Minneapolis. The event, hosted by state Sen. Omar Fateh, is being promoted as a youth‑voter outreach effort just eight days before the midterm elections.
Democratic leaders voice concern
Several Minnesota Democrats have publicly urged Omar to cancel the appearance. Rep. Angie Craig (D‑Minn.) described Piker’s rhetoric as “polarizing and dangerous” and warned that the partnership is “a mistake.” Sen. Amy Klobuchar’s gubernatorial campaign labeled many of Piker’s past statements “reckless and unacceptable.” Party officials and activist groups have also called on both Omar and Fateh to drop the event.
Why the controversy matters
University of Minnesota political‑science professor Larry Jacobs told FOX 9 the gathering could create a split within the DFL, potentially distracting statewide Democrats from their core message and alienating moderate and Jewish voters. Piker, who commands millions of followers, has previously faced backlash for remarks about the September 11 attacks, Hamas, Israel and Jewish people. He apologized in 2019 for saying “America deserved 9/11” and has denied antisemitism accusations.
Omar’s justification
Omar’s campaign defended the decision, emphasizing the need to mobilize younger voters. “Early voting among people under 40 is down, and we need to do everything to get young people to the polls,” the campaign told FOX 9. “The Congresswoman knows the Democratic Party is a Big Tent party, and she’s excited to join Senator Fateh’s event to mobilize young voters and get them to vote in this critical midterm election.”
Piker’s past statements
During a 2023 appearance on “Pod Save America,” Piker said he would “vote for Hamas over Israel every single time.” He has also described Orthodox Jews as “inbred” and warned that continued American Jewish support for Israel could provoke violent retaliation, stating, “People don’t f— with Israel any longer… eventually someone will come around and take action not against Israel, mind you, but against American Jews.”
Responses and next steps
Fox News Digital reached out to Omar’s campaign, Fateh and Piker for comment but did not receive an immediate response. The event is expected to draw a large crowd of younger progressives, a demographic the Democratic Party is eager to energize ahead of the November elections.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
