Video from a statement by Donald Trump
President Trump answers a reporter's question about Hasan Piker in the Oval Office, Sept. 18, 2026.
Excerpt from 30:38 to 31:11 of the White House video. Cut from the White House's own recording of the event. The Fox News broadcast capture cited for this source carries the same exchange. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: The White House. Public domain (U.S. government work) (opens in a new tab)
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Approx. 1:11 to 1:12 into the recording; closed-caption text of the Oval Office pool exchange.)
Asked in the Oval Office about the condemnations of Piker by leading Democrats and whether he considered Piker a liability to the party, Trump said he did, called him a communist, and said Piker’s statements were “so bad” that he could not understand Jewish voters supporting Democrats.
“I do. I think he’s a terrible liability. I think he’s got a power over some of these Democrats and he will vote that way. He’s a communist. There’s no question about it.”