Hasan Piker calls Bin Laden a ‘spoiled brat,’ labels 9/11 ‘blowback’ in Axios interview
Hasan Piker, the internet streamer and YouTube personality known for his progressive commentary, called Osama bin Laden a "spoiled brat" for his reasoning in orchestrating the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, which he called "blowback" for U.S. actions in the Middle East in the preceding years.
Speaking with Axios, Piker discussed bin Laden's remarks about why he targeted the United States: U.S. support of Israel, American oil policies and U.S. bases in the Middle East. He noted that bin Laden was once a U.S. ally when the U.S. trained, funded, and armed the mujahideen in Afghanistan during the Soviet-Afghan War.
"The action was so heinous and so violent that — and also … given his position as formerly an American ally … I think that he came across a little bit more as a spoiled brat that wasn't getting his way. With many backers in the Saudi kingdom as well, and the royal family," Piker said.
The left-wing streamer said he wants fewer actors like bin Laden to "exist in general."
"The other path of least resistance is to not interfere in these affairs in general and not continue to dominate and create an environment where people are going to seek out revenge and put us in a position of danger," he said.
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Piker called the Sept. 11 attacks a "horrifying tragedy" and called them blowback for U.S. actions in the Middle East.
"Blowback is not a justification. Blowback is just what it is," he said. "A justification offers either a moral condemnation or a moral acceptance of the act. I do not accept the act of 9/11 morally".
Piker has faced backlash for remarks in the same interview where he compared the United States to al-Qaeda "pound for pound".
"Pound for pound as far as the number of deaths, yes," Piker said. "We have caused tremendous terror all around the world".