Hasan Piker and the Culture of Rage

Fox News articles are now available for listening. A recent event has sparked controversy: protesters on the left are mocking the assassination of Charlie Kirk, even reenacting his murder. Jennifer Welch, among others, has justified his assassination. Yet, none are as shocking as Hasan Piker, who led a crowd in mocking Kirk and his faith. Before his murder, Kirk debated Piker, calling him a ‘socialist hypocrite.’

Piker’s actions are disturbing not just for their cruelty, but for the crowd’s gleeful response to the death of someone with opposing views. This behavior is part of a phenomenon referred to as an ‘age of rage.’ During a ‘Fear& LIVE’ tour stop in San Francisco, Piker led the crowd in chanting a song, ‘We Are Charlie Kirk,’ which included lines celebrating Kirk’s faith and memory. Attendees, including co-hosts Will Neff, QTCinderella, and AustinShow, laughed along.

Piker’s performance at the Golden Gate Theatre on Aug. 21 showed the desensitization to violence and hate among the young crowd. This phenomenon relates to the ideas discussed in ‘Rage and the Republic,’ which suggests that people are addicted to hate, finding it contagious and compelling. In San Francisco, this addiction was evident in the crowd’s response.

Despite enjoying hate speech, left-wing figures often condemn others for such behavior. They demonize opposing views, perpetuating a narrative that democratic principles are decaying, despite many elections disproving this claim. For example, Florida Democratic Senate candidate Angie Nixon described Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents as ‘modern-day slave catchers.’

Piker profited from ridiculing Kirk, turning rage into a commodity. Alongside hatemongers like Jennifer Welch, he exploits this cultural trend for financial gain. Kirk, conversely, worked to reveal the intolerance on the left, particularly on campuses, where debates are often shut down through cancellations and attacks.

Instances like the expulsion of pro-life teenagers from Wydaho Roasters in Idaho exemplify the suppression of opposing perspectives. On campuses, faculty members have sometimes attacked students displaying dissenting views, receiving minimal consequences. Despite assaults, such faculty are frequently retained or even celebrated.

Figures like Abdul El-Sayed, who has campaigned with Piker, embody the aggressive rhetoric that characterizes this age. Statements regarding ‘choking out’ Republicans and describing moderates as targets for violence underscore the extremity of discourse. Although El-Sayed disavowed Piker’s controversial remarks about 9/11, he criticized ‘cancel culture.’

The American Left seems to have embraced a berserker mentality, akin to Norse warriors known for their violent trance-like fighting. As shown by events in San Francisco, the normalization of violence and assassination reflects a broader disregard for humanity in today’s political discourse.

Jonathan Turley, a contributor to Fox News Media and Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University, highlights these issues. In his book ‘Rage and the Republic,’ he explores the ongoing story of the American Revolution and the current state of national rage. Turley’s academic contributions and legal expertise offer insights into constitutional and statutory matters, underscoring the importance of civil liberties and public interest.