Rep. Ro Khanna said Sunday he has no regrets about his recent appearance on Hasan Piker's livestream and would make the same choice again, pushing back against criticism from within his own party.
The California Democrat made the remarks on Meet the Press, signaling he won't back away from the controversial platform despite vocal Democratic opposition. "I would go again," Khanna said.
Piker, a socialist commentator with a large online following, has drawn scrutiny from Democratic figures. Some of his past statements have sparked accusations of antisemitism, a concern Khanna acknowledged during the interview.
"I do condemn those comments," Khanna said of Piker's remarks in question. The congressman's willingness to both defend his appearance and criticize the streamer's rhetoric reflects a delicate balance as he navigates pressure from party allies who view engagement with Piker as politically risky.
Khanna's stance underscores deepening divisions within Democratic circles over which platforms and figures warrant engagement. Progressive figures increasingly use streaming and social media channels to reach younger audiences, even as establishment party figures warn against legitimizing personalities with controversial histories.
The exchange highlights tension between the push to expand Democratic reach into digital spaces where millions of voters congregate and concerns about associating with commentators whose past statements carry baggage. For Khanna, the calculation appears clear: the audience value outweighs the political cost of defending the decision.
Comments