Far-left streamer Hasan Piker recently found himself on the wrong side of Chinese law after a misstep during a trip to Beijing. Piker, known for promoting Marxist views to his followers, arrived in the People’s Republic of China with a group of influencers. Their mission appeared to be showcasing a positive narrative about an authoritarian regime that Piker has often criticized the United States for embodying.
While the trip included a visit to Tiananmen Square—a site synonymous with communist ideology—things took a turn for the worse for Piker. His companion raised a meme that likened Piker to Chairman Mao Zedong, paired with the text: “Closely follow the great leader Chairman Mao forward in the revolution!” This action drew the ire of Chinese police, who quickly intervened, leading to the detention of Piker and his associates while authorities reviewed the offending image and footage.
Piker later livestreamed the encounter, which saw his stream cut for about ten minutes while police harassed the group. The stream eventually returned, but not before Piker was seen pleading with the authorities, claiming he was not mocking Mao but was instead a fan of the notorious dictator. Ironically, he found amusement in the entire episode, downplaying the severity of his treatment. “This is awesome. I don’t know why people aren’t enjoying all of this,” he told his viewers, insisting, “It’s not as bad as silly Americans imagine it is.”
The incident speaks volumes about Piker’s detachment from reality. His flippant remarks about a regime notorious for its human rights abuses reveal a troubling ignorance. Holding a Chinese flag while expressing a lack of patriotism for the United States shows a deep-seated disconnection from the values that underpin American society.
Even more striking is Piker’s decision to flaunt his pro-China sentiments after participating in the national flag-raising ceremony in Tiananmen Square, an event synonymous with the country’s oppressive measures and historical atrocities. If Piker’s beliefs align so closely with those of the Chinese Communist Party, he might do well to consider a permanent move to China. Many would argue the U.S. would be better off without such disconnected and extreme viewpoints.
While Piker may remain unfazed, this episode serves as a stark reminder for his followers. The harsh realities of the Chinese regime are not ones to glamorize or endorse. Hopefully, some viewers took note that the allure of an authoritarian system cannot mask its brutal realities.
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