Overview

• The New Yorker Festival lists Hasan Piker for an Oct. 26 roundtable on how the internet has reshaped political life, alongside Saagar Enjeti with Andrew Marantz moderating.
• The Anti-Defamation League denounced the invitation, saying the festival is normalizing Piker’s rhetoric, which it described as antisemitism that reinforces bigotry and launders terror.
• Critics cite Piker’s past comments dismissing reports of sexual violence on Oct. 7, slurs directed at Jewish people, and favorable remarks about groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis.
• Rep. Ritchie Torres has labeled Piker’s commentary “textbook antisemitism” and urged Twitch and Amazon to cut ties, pointing to his influence on social media discourse after Oct. 7.
• A New Yorker spokesperson declined to comment, no change to the lineup has been announced, and observers note the festival previously reversed an invitation for Steve Bannon in 2018.