Leftist provocateur Hasan Piker offered a veiled threat to Democrat U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico during an appearance Wednesday night at the University of Texas at Austin.
The event was sponsored by University Democrats, an officially recognized affiliate of the Texas Democrat Party.
“After James Talarico wins … we have to remind him that … we are the force that allowed him to win this seat of power, and if he wants to maintain it he’s got to play ball,” Piker said.
Piker’s vow followed a prediction that “[Talarico] is going to be able to defeat Ken Paxton.”
He also predicted that Texas could “absolutely, 100 percent” elect a socialist. He did not offer a specific timeline for this claim’s fulfillment.
Piker’s political predictions capped an otherwise anemic performance from the normally controversial figure.
Elsewhere in the speech, Piker recycled familiar grievances including debunked allegations of Israeli “genocide” and hyperbolic comparisons of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers to the German gestapo.
Specifically, Piker called ICE a “gestapo force that is randomly stopping black and brown citizens on our streets, kidnapping them.”
The appearance followed a series of controversies over the venue. University Democrats alleged that university officials were attempting to suppress the event by only making a small room available.
Despite his subdued performance on campus, Piker has an extensive history of anti-American, anti-Semitic, and pro-communist commentary.
Examples include:
- Piker has said that he “hates” the United States on several occasions.
- Piker has stated that the 9/11 attacks were a justified response to U.S. foreign policy.
- Piker routinely recycles discredited allegations of Israeli “genocide” and has described Jews as “bloodthirsty pig dogs.”
- Piker frequently praises communist figures such as Mao, Fidel Castro, and Che Guevara.
While Piker is popular with the Democrat base, he is otherwise ridiculed.
A self-described anti-capitalist who rails against the rich, “wage theft,” and inequality, Piker owns a $3 million home in Los Angeles, drives high-end cars, and wears designer clothes.
Radio host Dana Loesch has described Piker as a “nepo baby terror apologist.”
UT-Austin is a component of the University of Texas System. The UT System is overseen by a Board of Regents that is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Texas Senate. Kevin Eltife of Tyler is the current board chairman.
