Hasan Piker set off debate during a recent stream when he pushed back against the idea that trans people would be better off under a Kamala Harris presidency. The political commentator rejected a viewer’s suggestion that a Democratic win would have improved conditions for transgender Americans.
“Democrats have already made concessions to anti-trans narratives,” Hasan argued during the livestream. He claimed that even if Harris had won, the situation for trans people wouldn’t automatically improve because Democrats have been “leaning into” some of the same talking points as their opponents.
His main argument centered on two points. First, he said Democrats trying to adopt anti-trans messaging to win votes wouldn’t work because they “can’t out-bigot the right.” Second, he pointed out that most anti-trans legislation happens at the state level, where a Democratic president has limited power to intervene.
The streamer’s comments come as Democrats debate their messaging strategy after the last election. Some party members have suggested moderating positions on trans issues to appeal to swing voters. Hasan firmly rejected this approach, saying it would only legitimize harmful narratives without actually helping Democrats win elections.
During the Biden administration, transgender Americans saw some federal protections restored, including the ability to serve openly in the military. The administration also pushed for Title IX protections for LGBTQ+ students. But at the same time, Republican-led states passed hundreds of bills restricting trans rights, from healthcare access to sports participation.
This state-level wave of legislation is key to understanding Hasan’s argument. While a president can influence federal policy through executive orders and administrative actions, they can’t directly stop state legislatures from passing restrictive laws. The Department of Justice can challenge these laws in court, but that process takes years.
Kamala Harris publicly supported LGBTQ+ equality throughout her career as senator and vice president. She backed the Equality Act and was part of an administration that actively promoted trans rights. Whether she made “concessions” to anti-trans narratives, as Hasan claimed, remains a point of debate among political observers.
The clip racked up views online, with viewers divided over Hasan’s take. Some agreed that state-level politics matter more than federal leadership for day-to-day trans experiences. Others argued that having an openly supportive president still makes a significant difference through federal agency policies, court appointments, and setting the national tone.
