MS NOW Hosts Criticize Hasan Piker for Hurting Democrats

WHO:

Fox News - Democratic strategist Corbin Trent and podcast host Devory Darkins discussed the backlash against Hasan Piker's scheduled appearance at the University of Texas at Austin.

Fox News - Corbin Trent, Devory Darkins, Texas lawmakers including Gov. Greg Abbott, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Rep. Henry Cuellar expressed disapproval of Hasan Piker's scheduled appearance.

NY Post - Hasan Piker, MS NOW hosts, Symone Sanders Townsend

WHAT:

Fox News - Piker's event is limited to UT Austin students, staff, and faculty, and will include a Q&A session.

Fox News - Piker stated on X, "Ted Cruz, Greg Abbott, Ken Paxton and now, Henry Cuellar have demanded that I have my speech at UT Austin get cancelled. It's a public university. This is a direct violation of the 1st amendment."

Fox News - Piker is expected to address "a variety of topics, ranging from immigration, to genocide, to the future of the Democratic Party" at the event on Sept. 30.

Fox News - University Democrats claimed that UT Austin was violating its own policies by "failing to accommodate" the event and provide a large venue.

Fox News - Cruz stated, "Hasan Piker is an America-hating Marxist who has said that America deserved 9/11 and celebrates political violence against Republicans."

Fox News - Andrew Mahaleris, press secretary for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, said, "Terrorist sympathizers have no place in Texas."

Fox News - The University Democrats at the University of Texas at Austin announced an event featuring Hasan Piker, which is scheduled for Sept. 30 and will include a Q&A session.

NY Post - Hasan Piker committed a "costly Kinsley gaffe" during the podcast, which could impact the Democratic party with a little under 7 weeks to go until the midterms.

NY Post - Hasan Piker was criticized by MS NOW hosts for being a drag on the Democratic party.

Fox News - Piker clashed with the hosts during the "Clock It" podcast, discussing his anti-Israel stance.

Fox News - Symone Sanders Townsend stated she would advise candidates to disavow Piker.

WHERE:

NY Post - The exchange took place during a podcast interview.

WHY:

Fox News - Rep. Henry Cuellar expressed that while free speech allows for controversial views, it does not require silence in the face of hateful comments about Jewish Americans, 9/11, and Hamas terrorism.

Fox News - Rep. Henry Cuellar stated that Piker's comments about Jewish Americans and 9/11 are concerning and that Jewish students at UT should not feel targeted or unsafe.

Fox News - The criticism stemmed from Piker's views on Israel and Hamas, which were perceived as detrimental to Democratic candidates.

HOW:

Fox News - Piker claimed that the pressure campaign to cancel his speech is a constitutional issue and called for Democrats to defend him against the attacks.

Fox News - Piker claimed that the pressure campaign to cancel his speech at UT Austin is a violation of the 1st amendment and called for Democrats to defend him against the attacks.

Fox News - Piker claimed that the pressure to cancel his speech at UT Austin is a violation of the 1st amendment and called for Democrats to defend him against the attacks.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 17:00 UTC)

Democratic strategist Corbin Trent and podcast host Devory Darkins recently discussed the backlash surrounding Hasan Piker's upcoming appearance at the University of Texas at Austin, which is set to include a Q&A session and is limited to students, staff, and faculty. Piker has taken to X to express his frustration, stating that Texas politicians, including Ted Cruz and Henry Cuellar, are attempting to have his speech canceled, which he argues violates the First Amendment rights at a public university. In response, Cuellar acknowledged the importance of free speech but emphasized that it does not excuse silence against hateful comments regarding Jewish Americans and terrorism.

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 13:03 UTC)

Hasan Piker is set to address a range of topics, including immigration and the future of the Democratic Party, at an event scheduled for September 30. In response to the controversy surrounding the event, Piker has argued that the pressure to cancel his speech at UT Austin is a violation of the First Amendment, urging Democrats to stand up for him. Meanwhile, Texas Senator Ted Cruz has criticized Piker as an "America-hating Marxist," while Texas Governor Greg Abbott's press secretary stated that "terrorist sympathizers have no place in Texas."

(UPDATED September 18, 2026 01:22 UTC)

Texas lawmakers, including Governor Greg Abbott, Senator Ted Cruz, and Representative Henry Cuellar, have voiced their disapproval of Hasan Piker's upcoming appearance at the University of Texas at Austin, which is set for September 30 and will feature a Q&A session. Cuellar expressed concern over Piker's previous comments regarding Jewish Americans and 9/11, emphasizing that Jewish students at the university should not feel targeted or unsafe. In response, Piker has argued that the calls to cancel his speech represent a violation of the First Amendment and is urging Democrats to stand up for him against the backlash.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 23:58 UTC)

Hasan Piker made a significant mistake during a podcast that has been described as a "costly Kinsley gaffe," which could have implications for the Democratic party. With just under seven weeks remaining until the midterm elections, this incident may influence the political landscape. The New York Post reported on this development at 23:00 UTC.

(UPDATED September 17, 2026 23:00 UTC)

Hasan Piker faced criticism from the hosts of MS NOW during a podcast interview, where they labeled him a drag on the Democratic party. The clash occurred while discussing his anti-Israel stance, with Symone Sanders Townsend advising candidates to disavow Piker. The criticism was rooted in concerns that Piker's views on Israel and Hamas could harm the prospects of Democratic candidates.