Ilhan Omar joins 'polarizing and dangerous' streamer at campaign event despite Democratic backlash

Minnesota Democrats are split over a Monday night Minneapolis rally where Representative Ilhan Omar plans to appear with the left-wing streamer Hasan Piker, just eight days before the midterm elections. State Senator Omar Fateh is hosting the sold-out event, and several party officials and groups have urged both him and Omar to call it off, according to Fox News.

The objections center on Piker's record of provocative statements about the September 11 attacks, Hamas, Israel and Jewish people. Representative Angie Craig described his rhetoric as "polarizing and dangerous." Senator Amy Klobuchar's gubernatorial campaign labeled several of his earlier remarks reckless and unacceptable. Piker, who has millions of followers online, apologized for a 2019 comment that America deserved 9/11 and denies being antisemitic.

Omar's campaign told FOX 9 that turnout is the priority, since early voting among people under 40 has lagged. It said she views the Democratic Party as a big tent and wants to energize young voters. University of Minnesota political scientist Larry Jacobs told the station the appearance would open a rift within the DFL, could pull statewide candidates off their closing message, and might complicate their standing with moderate and Jewish voters.

Summarized by PolitiKool from Fox News’s reporting. Read the full story at Fox News →