BS BULLETIN
- Hasan Piker says litigation against Scott Jennings and Salem Media now “seems unavoidable” after Jennings accused him of “calling for Black voters to be lynched.”
- Snopes reviewed the original footage and concluded the viral compilation was heavily edited and presented some remarks out of order.
- Piker says he is also considering action involving Fox News.
The political fight surrounding left-wing streamer Hasan Piker just took a legal turn — and this one could get messy.
Piker says he and his attorneys are preparing to pursue defamation claims after conservative commentator Scott Jennings aired a compilation of Piker clips on his nationally syndicated radio program and accused him of “calling for Black voters to be lynched.”
Jennings tied the comments directly to Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, whom Piker supported and campaigned alongside.
“Now El-Sayed’s best friend is out there calling for Black voters to be lynched,” Jennings said.
He added: “Beneath all the smiles and dancing videos, there’s nothing but hate and violence in the heart of these communists.”
Piker says that characterization is false.
“This kind of defamation is completely unacceptable,” he told Status, which reported that Piker is preparing potential legal action against Jennings and Salem Media, the company behind Jennings’ radio show. Piker said litigation now “seems unavoidable.”
Snopes went back to Piker’s original streams rather than relying solely on the viral compilation. Its review concluded that the circulated video removed crucial context and, in some instances, rearranged Piker’s remarks.
According to the fact-check, Piker did not actually advocate bringing back lynchings. The remarks about lynching included sarcastic responses to comments from his livestream chat and his reaction to statements made by someone else in a video he was watching.
That doesn’t suddenly make Piker Mr. Rogers.
The socialist streamer has an extensive record of inflammatory statements and has repeatedly generated controversy, including his infamous “America deserved 9/11” remark. His increasing involvement in Democratic politics has also created headaches for candidates who welcome his massive young audience while simultaneously being asked to answer for his rhetoric.
But those controversies don’t answer the question here. Did Piker actually advocate lynching Black voters?
Piker also told Status that he is considering action involving Fox News after host Harris Faulkner aired coverage of Jennings’ claims. Status reports that Piker says the controversy has resulted in a significant increase in death threats against him.
“I am getting inundated with death threats, so much more than ever before,” Piker said.
DBS WIRE SOURCES:
- Mediaite — Hasan Piker threatens Scott Jennings with defamation lawsuit over ‘lynchings’ claim
- Status — Hasan Piker lawyers up over Scott Jennings and Fox News coverage
- Snopes — Video of Hasan Piker speaking about Black people is heavily edited, missing key context
- The New Republic — Hasan Piker comes for Scott Jennings over edited video
