A social media clash between Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, and left-wing commentator Hasan Piker escalated over the weekend after Piker made a post targeting Gill’s wife on X.
The exchange began after Piker, in an interview with Axios, said the United States was worse than al Qaeda in terms of terror committed around the world. Gill responded on X: “Hasan Piker is the poster child for why we need to end birth tourism. He was born in America to Turkish nationals, was raised back in Turkey to hate western civilization, and now spends his time working to make America weaker and our enemies stronger.”
Piker replied with a brief post about Gill’s wife: “your wife is indian.”
The comment drew a swift response from Gill’s father-in-law, conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza, who wrote on X: “She’s Christian, born in America and her mom is white. Care to show us a picture of your family?”
Gill himself answered Piker directly, writing, “My wife is an American, born in America to American citizens. She deeply loves our nation and its culture. You, on the other hand, were born to foreign invaders and want to turn America into the third world culture you were raised in, while advocating for communism at your $3 million mansion in between electrocuting your dog.”
Other lawmakers weigh in
Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va., joined the criticism of Piker, posting: “Wrong. She’s a patriotic American, and you’re a terrorist (sympathizer) who hates this country and wants to destroy it. See the difference?”
Internet Accountability Project attorney Will Chamberlain wrote that Gill’s wife “is an American patriot, while you are a Turkish adversary.” Trump ally Alex Bruesewitz added, “You don’t get it and you never will.”
One social media user wrote, “i don’t know why Hasan is being racist all of the sudden but okay.”
Not everyone sided with Gill
Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, R-Ill., criticized D’Souza’s response, writing on X: “Imagine having to say ‘her mom is white’ for street cred[.] The self hating MAGA thing is so weird.”
The dispute follows earlier criticism of Piker after he called Osama bin Laden a “spoiled brat” and described the Sept. 11 attacks as “blowback” during the Axios interview, remarks that had already drawn backlash before the exchange with Gill.
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