Twitch streamer Hasan Piker takes aim at Erika Kirk after “We Are Charlie Kirk” controversy: “These guys are all goddamn grifters”

Hasan Piker has pushed back against the backlash surrounding his recent live-show performance of “We Are Charlie Kirk,” and a screenshot circulating online has added another layer to the controversy. In the clip, the Twitch streamer dismisses the criticism, compares his treatment of Charlie Kirk with that of Erika Kirk, and takes aim at Republicans he says are trying to fill Kirk’s place.

Hasan Piker responds to the Charlie Kirk backlash

The controversy began after Piker was filmed singing “We Are Charlie Kirk” during a Fear& LIVE show. The performance quickly spread online, with critics accusing him of mocking the late conservative activist and turning a deeply sensitive subject into entertainment. Reports place the performance at the Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco during the opening stretch of the tour.The screenshot shared by Leiga Sapienti captures Piker addressing the reaction during a stream. Rather than backing away from the criticism, he appeared frustrated by what he described as another round of outrage surrounding Kirk. He also rejected the idea that his comments were simply part of a political narrative being pushed against Kirk.Piker then made a striking comparison involving Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow, before broadening his criticism to Republicans who have attempted to carry forward Charlie Kirk’s political influence.“You know Trump just handed the Liberals a win in the upcoming Quebec provincial elections. Oh, I know I Know my brain is so fried the fake outrage about Charlie Kirk shit We’ve been doing it like three times a week 30k people for 10 months. It’s not just me doing it. Everyone does it?”The tone of his response highlights why the controversy has continued to attract attention. Piker is not presenting the incident as an isolated joke. Instead, he frames the reaction as part of a much larger cycle of online political outrage.

Hasan Piker calls critics “grifters” as controversy grows

The most provocative part of Piker’s response came when he argued that his approach toward Charlie Kirk was actually more respectful than that of people who publicly aligned themselves with Kirk’s movement.That claim is likely to fuel further debate because it shifts the focus away from the live performance itself and toward the people now associated with Kirk’s political legacy.“If anything, I’m more I’m more respectful to Charlie Kirk than Erica Kirk is I’m more respectful to Charlie Kirk than virtually every goddamn Republican out there who who has Tried to fill his shoes, you know what? I mean? Yeah, these guys are all goddamn grifters anyway”The remarks also come as scrutiny around Piker has intensified following the live performance. Video from the show showed him leading the audience through the song while his co-hosts and members of the crowd reacted around him. The song has become an online meme since emerging after Kirk’s assassination, making Piker’s decision to perform it especially contentious.Piker’s comments now give the controversy a second chapter. Instead of allowing the backlash to fade after the performance, he has directly challenged those criticizing him and questioned the motives of people claiming to defend Kirk’s legacy. Whether that argument changes public opinion remains unclear, but his response has ensured that the debate over the performance will continue far beyond the stage.