Piker tells Mamdani to ‘shut the f— up’ over cautious messaging, claims mayor needs to be more ‘bold’
Far-left streamer Hasan Piker told New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani to "shut the f--- up" and urged progressives to present their policies more boldly during an interview released Wednesday on Zeteo's "We're Not Kidding" podcast in Washington, D.C.
"I just listened to his new New York Times conversation where The New York Times asked him, like, ‘If you had unlimited money, what would you do?’" Piker said. "He’s like, ‘Exactly the same policies I’m implementing.’ I’m like, ‘Shut the f--- up, dude.’"
Piker's criticism came during a broader discussion with Zeteo founder Mehdi Hasan about whether left-wing politicians are too concerned with optics and too willing to retreat when their positions draw criticism.
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Piker said politicians, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., risk appearing uncommitted to their positions when they sound hesitant or defensive.
"If you come across as, like, even a little worried or even a little defensive, then people respond to that with, ‘Oh, maybe she doesn’t believe this either,’" Piker said.
The Twitch streamer continued that line of criticism of Ocasio-Cortez, saying she's embraced ambitious policies but sometimes focuses too heavily on public perception.
"The way she carries herself, I think, is a little bit too, like, optics-driven, too liberal and too optics-driven," Piker said.
Fox News Digital reached out to Mamdani and Ocasio-Cortez for comment, but did not immediately hear back.
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Piker contrasted Ocasio-Cortez with Mamdani, whom he praised for combining progressive policies with language capable of reaching liberal and less traditional audiences.
"I think Zohran has done a pretty good job of merging those two worlds where he speaks the language of liberalism," Piker said.
Hasan asked whether Piker wanted the interview to end with him telling one of his political allies to "shut the f--- up." Piker stressed that his frustration did not represent a break with Mamdani.
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"I mean, come on," Piker said. "I love the guy. I have my disagreements with him from time to time."
Piker later accepted Hasan’s revised description of the approach he wanted from progressive politicians.
"Bold, brave and unapologetic," Piker said.
