Rep. Auchincloss rejects streamer Piker's Kirk mockery

A performance by progressive streamer Hasan Piker mocking the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk has ignited fierce criticism and drawn a sharp rebuke from a Democratic congressman, highlighting tensions within the party over its association with the controversial online figure.

The incident occurred on Friday, August 21, 2026, at San Francisco’s Golden Gate Theatre during the first stop of the West Coast tour for Piker’s podcast “Fear LIVE.” Video footage shows Piker leading the audience in singing an AI-generated meme song titled “We Are Charlie Kirk.” The audience joined in, with lyrics referencing Kirk’s faith and activism scrolling on a screen behind the stage. Piker, whose podcast co-hosts laughed and clapped along, later commented that it was “the most surreal moment in my entire life.” He also posted a photo from the show with the caption “carried the flame tn,” a direct reference to the song.

Charlie Kirk, the founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on September 14, 2025, while speaking at an event in Utah. The song performed by Piker is styled as a Christian power ballad and has been circulated online in meme form mocking Kirk and his supporters since...