Shannon Watts Accuses Hasan Piker of Dodging Past Remarks as UW Cancels 1 Event
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Aug 16
Shannon Watts Accuses Hasan Piker of Dodging Past Remarks as UW Cancels 1 Event
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Aug 16
Summary
Shannon Watts publicly accused Hasan Piker of using a familiar excuse playbook to deflect backlash over past inflammatory comments, escalating a Democratic infighting dispute now spilling into midterm politics.
1 canceled University of Washington event helped trigger the clash after the school dropped Piker over his rhetoric on Israel; he responded by urging Democrats to defend him on free-speech grounds.
Watts countered that appeal by resurfacing Piker’s past support for jailing political opponents, including comments about Adam Schiff, while Fred Guttenberg joined in and called Piker’s attacks MAGA-style.
2019 remarks remain central to the backlash, including Piker’s statement that America 'deserved 9/11,' which he later called inappropriate, and other comments critics say now burden progressive candidates he backs.
The fight underscores a broader Democratic concern that online rhetoric from influencers and candidates alike could damage electability, as figures tied to races such as Abdul El-Sayed and Graham Platner face renewed scrutiny.