Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar appeared alongside far-left streamer Hasan Piker at a live event in Minneapolis on Oct. 26, despite objections from Jewish community organizations and members of her own party, drawing renewed scrutiny days before Minnesotans head to the polls.
The event, titled “I’m the Host Now!”, was hosted by state Sen. Omar Fateh, a member of the Twin Cities Democratic Socialists of America. Omar’s Fifth Congressional District includes St. Louis Park, a longtime center of Jewish life in Minnesota.
Before the event, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas called Omar’s decision to participate “a betrayal of Jewish Minnesotans.” Her party’s Jewish caucus also objected to Piker’s rhetoric, saying it has no place in Minnesota. Sen. Amy Klobuchar described Piker’s past statements as reckless and unacceptable. Rep. Angie Craig, Rep. Betty McCollum, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and state Sen. Ron Latz also spoke out against the appearance, and Democratic leaders reportedly urged Omar privately to cancel.
Piker has previously said “America deserved 9/11,” called Hamas “a thousand times better” than Israel and said he would “vote for Hamas every single time.” He has also referred to Orthodox Jews as “inbred” and, this summer, suggested that if American Jews continue supporting Israel, someone “is going to come around and take action.”
Omar’s campaign responded to the criticism by saying the Democratic Party is a “big tent,” and she appeared at the event as planned. During the program, Piker called Republicans “terrorists,” and Omar referred to the GOP as the “pedophile protection party.”
Opponent Calls It a Deliberate Choice
The appearance has become a flashpoint in Omar’s re-election race. In an opinion piece published in Fox News, her Republican opponent, John Nagel, a retired 30-year veteran of the Minnesota State Patrol, argued that Omar’s decision to appear with Piker was calculated rather than accidental.
“Omar didn’t stumble into this. She calculated that a sold-out crowd was worth more than the trust of the Jewish families she represents. That isn’t a lapse in judgment. It is her judgment,” Nagel wrote.
Nagel noted that Omar has previously apologized for comments criticized as invoking antisemitic tropes. In his piece, he said public service requires serving constituents regardless of politics, and argued that disagreement over policy should not translate into calling fellow citizens enemies.
“I don’t believe the people who disagree with me are terrorists,” Nagel wrote. “You can fight hard for your principles without calling millions of your fellow citizens enemies — and without sharing a microphone with a man who says his country deserved to be attacked.”
Omar’s office has not issued a further response beyond the campaign’s initial “big tent” statement. Voters in Minnesota’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Minneapolis and St. Louis Park, will decide the race on Nov. 3.
