Ilhan Omar to Share Minneapolis Stage With Streamer Hasan Piker Despite Backlash From Fellow Democrats

Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota is set to share a stage on Monday night in Minneapolis with left-wing streamer Hasan Piker. The appearance, eight days before the midterm elections, has drawn opposition from fellow Minnesota Democrats.

The event is hosted by state Senator Omar Fateh. It has been described as sold out. Some Democrats have publicly urged Omar to cancel the appearance.

Representative Angie Craig has called Piker's rhetoric 'polarizing and dangerous' and said embracing him is 'a mistake'. Senator Amy Klobuchar's gubernatorial campaign called a number of his past statements 'reckless and unacceptable'.

Other Democratic officials and party groups have gone further, calling on Omar and host Omar Fateh to cancel the appearance.

University of Minnesota political science professor Larry Jacobs told FOX 9 the event would create a split within the DFL. He argued it could distract statewide Democrats from their closing message and put candidates in a difficult position with moderate and Jewish voters.

Piker has millions of followers across social media. He has faced backlash over remarks involving the September 11 attacks, Hamas, Israel and Jewish people. He later apologized for saying in 2019 that 'America deserved 9/11' and has rejected accusations of antisemitism.

Omar's campaign defended her decision to participate. It told FOX 9 that early voting among people under 40 is down and that everything needs to be done to get young people to the polls. The campaign said the congresswoman knows the Democratic Party is a Big Tent party and that she is excited to join Senator Omar Fateh's event to mobilize young voters and get them to vote in this critical midterm election.

During an appearance on 'Pod Save America' earlier this year, Piker said he would 'vote for Hamas over Israel every single time'. He has also described Orthodox Jews as 'inbred'. In August he made remarks warning that continued American Jewish support for Israel could provoke someone to take action against American Jews, remarks that drew renewed criticism this summer.

Fox News Digital reached out to Omar's campaign, Fateh and Piker for additional comment on the mounting criticism and calls to cancel Monday night's event but did not immediately receive a response.