Fact Check: Did Hasan Piker say Black people should be lynched, as claimed by Scott Jennings?
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A rumor has been circulating on social media platforms claiming that streamer and political commentator Hasan Piker has called for the lynching of the black people in America.
The claim has also been shared by conservative commentator Scott Jennings, triggering criticisms against Piker, prompting a fact-check into the claim.
Claim: Hasan Piker called for the lynching of Black Americans
The claim appeared in a video on X posted by Jennings. In the video, he can be heard saying, “On top of these candidates, in their own words, their surrogates are just as bad, even worse, actually."
"We continue today our exploration of the radical socialist streamer Hasan Piker. Now he's Abdul El-Sayed's best friend, and he campaigns for him all the time."
"And African Americans out there within the sound of my voice need to listen up. And you must listen carefully; this is who socialist like Abdul El-Sayed choose to keep for company. Just listen to this.”
The video includes a clip of Piker, where he was heard saying, “Back to a better time when lynchings were happening. This is what I like as a Black man. Are you always doing too much with Black people?"
"Leave them alone. I want to go back to lynching. Like, I get it, but relax, man. Shut the fuck up, OK? You got me, OK? You got me because I'm a racist person.”
Fact Check: Hasan Piker was reading out someone else's comment
However, the claim is false, as the original version of the video was deceptively edited, where Piker was seen criticizing someone else’s comment, rather than making the argument for himself.
During his livestream, Piker was reading out loud and condemning racist comments that were appearing in the chat, which Jennings edited to make it appear that Piker was making racist comments.
Piker addressed the issue in a YouTube video titled I think it's time to sue," posted on August 13, clarifying that he was denouncing racist comments, not making them.
Hasan Piker's 9/11 remark falsely attributed to Abdul El-Sayed
The claim surfaced after Piker in 2019 remarked that America deserved the September 11, 2001, attacks, which is now falsely attributed to Michigan Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Although the misattribution has been debunked through fact checks, El-Sayed continues to garner criticism for refusing to condemn the controversial remark.
El-Sayed later called the remark "dumb," marking a notable shift as both Republicans and some Democrats continue to point out his association with the commentator.
