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Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin distanced his party from far-left streamer Hasan Piker, calling his past remarks “disgusting and deplorable” while defending Democrats as a “big tent” that encompasses a wide range of political views.
“Let me just say that I think it’s absolutely disgusting and deplorable the things that Hasan Piker has said,” Martin said. “But he does not represent the Democratic Party and he certainly doesn’t represent the viewpoints of almost every one of our candidates and our elected officials.”
Martin made the remarks after Digital asked how the party is navigating divisions among Democrats as socialist candidates gain prominence, including Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.
RASKIN CALLS PIKER’S RHETORIC ‘IRRELEVANT DISTRACTION’ AFTER THE STREAMER SAID HE’D VOTE FOR HAMAS OVER ISRAEL
Dr. Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, speaks at the Michigan Democratic Nominating Convention in Lansing, Mich., on Aug. 29, 2026. (Anadolu via Getty Images)
“Look, no one should confuse unity with unanimity in the Democratic Party, right?” Martin said. “We are a big tent party. We have lots of different viewpoints and ideas and all sorts of issues.”
Piker has been scrutinized for a slew of past comments critical of Israel — one of his most controversial comments was claiming that the U.S. “deserved 9/11.”
Martin previously joined other party leaders and prominent Democrats in condemning rhetoric blaming Jewish Americans for threats and violence, calling it “dangerous, wrong, and antisemitic,” but his statement did not name Piker.
“Criticizing the policies and actions of the Israeli government is one thing,” Martin posted to X last month. “Blaming American Jews for the hatred, threats, and violence directed at them is something else entirely. It is dangerous, wrong, and antisemitic.”
The comments come as El-Sayed, who campaigned with Piker during Michigan’s Democratic primary, has sought to distance himself from the streamer as Republicans make their association a midterm attack line.
EL-SAYED GRILLED ON PIKER, ISRAEL AND SOCIALIST TIES AFTER MIKE ROGERS SKIPS SENATE DEBATE
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker appeared on the campaign trail with Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
Martin also called out Republicans for cutting the House’s September session short and leaving Capitol Hill weeks before the midterm elections, telling Digital there is crucial legislative work that will be left unfinished.
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., announced last week that he was canceling votes scheduled last week and sent lawmakers home one day early ahead of the midterm election recess. Johnson has defended the decision, saying the House had “done its work.”
“Republicans…they’re afraid to actually come to Washington for a whole host of reasons, right?” Martin said. “They’ve recessed saying mission accomplished six weeks early when they could actually do something to help the American people.”
“What the hell are they doing? Where are they going? You know what, Democrats are here. We’re ready to work. We are ready to pass legislation that actually helps get people a chance, an opportunity, a chance to get ahead. Where the hell are the Republicans?”
WHY THE HOUSE LET OUT EARLY IS A MATTER OF DEBATE AFTER JOHNSON SAYS CHAMBER HAS ‘DONE ITS WORK’
Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, speaks during a press conference with Texas Democrats at the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades union hall on August 05, 2025 in Aurora, Illinois. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)
Martin also predicted Democrats would win control of both chambers in November as the elections inch closer, with roughly six weeks until Americans vote to determine which party will control the Senate and the House.
“Mark my words right here,” Martin said. “You heard it here first, right? 47 days left. The Democratic Party is going to take control of the House back and we’re going to control the Senate back and we’re not going to screw around like these Republicans have.”
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“Mark my words right here,” Martin said. “You heard it here first, right? 47 days left. The Democratic Party is going to take control of the House back and we’re going to control the Senate back and we’re not going to screw around like these Republicans have.
