With Republicans on attack, Democrats wary of influencer Hasan Piker

WASHINGTON, United States: With the approach of US midterm elections in November and facing the possibility of losing control in both houses of Congress, Republicans are training their fire on a left-wing influencer who has emerged as a liability for Democratic candidates.

“I am done! So don’t any reporter ask me again about Hasan Piker. It’s not what November is about,” snapped congresswoman Debbie Dingell of Michigan at a reelection rally on Wednesday.

Democrats are leery of Piker, a popular online commentator who has been accused of anti-Semitism, worried he will distract from their criticism of President Donald Trump’s economic record.

AFP this week spent several hours following Piker’s live program on Twitch, where he streams daily to three million followers.

Dressed in a suit and tie, the 35-year-old launched into a lengthy monologue, riffing on viewer comments, discussing video clips, weighing in on current events and repeatedly attacking Israel.

His tone and style were similar to those of far-right streamers who helped propel Trump to a second White House term — but unlike them, he identifies as a “socialist” and “anti-imperialist.”