Hasan Piker, the biggest progressive political streamer in America, was detained by Customs and Border Protection for hours of questioning upon returning to the U.S. from a trip to France this weekend. Piker posted about the incident on X and later talked about it on stream.

He was detained in Chiago and questioned for two hours about protected journalistic activities like who he’s interviewed and his political beliefs. He was asked whether or not he’d interviewed Hamas, Houthis, or Hezbollah members. He was questioned about his opinions on Trump and Israel and asked about his history of bans on Twitch. His phone and laptop were not confiscated.

    • infinitesunrise@slrpnk.net
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      1 hour ago

      People who haven’t sat down to watch his stream only know him through an undeserved reputation so they feel like they have to qualify any supportive statements they make to avoid being attacked.

    • technocrit@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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      3 hours ago

      He’s a “moron” for standing up to imperialism. Most of Lemmy just vote, fantasize about leopards, and bootlick.

    • Baaahb@feddit.nl
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      7 hours ago

      He preaches hard left politics. Mostly people want to call him a moron for hot takes, but the majority of what he says is fine.

      • ArtificialHoldings@lemmy.world
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        3 hours ago

        He streams for like 8 hours a day, most of which is making commentary on current events - eventually, you’ll run out of gas and say something stupid. He has a solid basis of knowledge but obviously pushes the aesthetic and ideology above any attempt to be even-handed.

        He’s not as eloquent or well researched on specific topics other debate bros, even if you agree with his bottom line you can tell he struggles to deliver substantive arguments in certain moments… He has a very strong tell when he knows he’s grasping.

        • Baaahb@feddit.nl
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          5 hours ago

          It happens when your whole schtick is talking incessantly to a stream, especially if you are discussing politics off the dome. Its not like the majority of the dumb takes are in anything like a Speech or actual political messaging. I’m definitely guilty of this.not all of my ideas are good ideas, why would I hold an internet talking head to a higher standard?

          • Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works
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            5 hours ago

            Idk it depends on how you respond to those bad takes imo, being wrong sometimes is normal, but doubling down or refusing to see alternatives is an issue. Not saying Hasan does this per-say, I don’t watch him frequently enough to say.

            • Baaahb@feddit.nl
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              2 hours ago

              Same. I dont know hasan, couldn’t pick him out of a crowd, but I’ve been on the internet long enough.

      • DicJacobus@lemmy.world
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        5 hours ago

        He’s always struck me as a horseshoe Lefty, in that he’s so far left he seems comparable to the MAGA crowd in his radical beliefs.

        • smol_beans@lemmy.world
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          3 hours ago

          Maga crowd: trans people shouldn’t exist

          Hasan: trans people should be respected and accepted

          DicJacobus: these sound like the same thing to me

          • DicJacobus@lemmy.world
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            3 hours ago

            I didn’t even specify which topic I had witnessed. Don’t go putting words in someone’s mouth.

            To be specific. Some of his takes on thr political situation revolving around the war in Europe is what made me think he was insane

    • DrDickHandler@lemmy.world
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      7 hours ago

      He isn’t. There are many right wing groups purposely spreading hate to discredit him as he is one of the only left wing political streamer criticizing Israel, Russia, Democrats, etc…

    • SmilingSolaris@lemmy.world
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      6 hours ago

      Leftist. Generally if you don’t agree with someone, a dumb person will say that person is dumb. Take from that what you will