Hasan Piker, known for his far-left Twitch streaming, has openly supported Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from New York as his choice for the Democratic presidential candidate in the 2028 elections. During an interview with Mehdi Hasan at Zeteo, Piker expressed his preference for Ocasio-Cortez over other prominent Democrats, citing her ability to galvanize the party’s base and engage voters who rarely participate in elections.
When asked to pick between Ocasio-Cortez and fellow Democrat, Rep. Ro Khanna from California, Piker was quick to choose the New York congresswoman. He emphasized, “AOC. It’s not even a question.” His endorsement came as part of a fast-paced selection process that included several Democratic leaders like California Governor Gavin Newsom, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Vice President Kamala Harris, and others.
Piker asserted that Ocasio-Cortez was the standout candidate among those presented. He acknowledged that factors like her race and gender could pose challenges in a presidential race but insisted they wouldn’t be insurmountable. He stated, “These are hurdles, yes, but these are hurdles that one can clear.” He believes Ocasio-Cortez can overcome these barriers by passionately campaigning and connecting with voters who typically abstain from elections.
Piker likened Ocasio-Cortez’s potential candidacy to Sen. Bernie Sanders’ influence in raising the stature of democratic socialism in the party. He suggested that her appeal might surpass Sanders’ impact, arguing she could be a “fantastic left candidate, even better than Bernie in many ways.” While recognizing her success in social media and commitment to progressive causes in Congress, Piker critiqued her concern for visual presentation, saying, “The way she carries herself, I think, is a little bit too, like, optics-driven, too liberal and too optics-driven.” He believes she doesn’t fully leverage populist sentiment in her communication.
Fox News Digital sought a comment from Ocasio-Cortez, but there was no immediate response. As of now, Ocasio-Cortez hasn’t announced her intentions for the 2028 presidential race. However, her recent political activities, such as her visit to Michigan in support of Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, suggest a potential increase in national presence.
CJ Womack, an associate editor at Fox News, highlights the crucial role of journalism in shaping political and cultural landscapes. With a background in Political Science and Journalism from Long Beach State University, Womack joined Fox News Digital in 2026, bringing expertise in media analysis and reporting.