In a recent stream, xQc once again threw his hat into the thunderdome of on-air politics with a pointed remark against Hasan Piker, after the latter’s recent “I’d rather be a rich socialist” snafu.
The “champagne socialist” dig came while xQc was watching Hasan commentate over reactions to his recent comments on China, delivered in response to Hasan saying that he’d rather be a “rich socialist” than a “broke boy defending capitalism.” The quip was followed up by xQc pointing out that Hasan’s political commentary could be called a “grift,” while commenters related the “broke boy” statement to Pokimane’s Myna cookie controversy.
The term “champagne socialist,” a term which dates back to at least the early 20th century, refers to someone who advocates for socialism (or, more generally, any vague left-wing sentiments) while living an expensive lifestyle.
While this term is more prolific in the UK, Hasan regularly comes under attack along similar lines, as his critiques of imperialism and support for labor organising has made him the new bogeyman of left-wing politics online, and attacks on his wealth make for cheap shots.
What streaming means for class politics
Hasan makes his wealth no secret, flaunting his access to Gucci merchandise, suped-up cars, and $2.7m mansion living. The streamer argues that none of this is enough to detract from his message and, in Marxist terms, he’s right: Marxism defines class on the basis of ownership over private property, such as a factory or a mine. As expensive as Hasan’s cars are, that’s all personal property, not private.
However, critics argue that there’s more than a little truth to xQc’s assertions about a “grift.” Hasan may not be bourgeois in the Marxist sense, but streaming is definitely not a traditional field, and it’s one that any economic philosopher would struggle with when terming its place in Marxian class dynamics.
What is for sure is that Hasan operates within a pundit social class, as do many political commentators of his ilk. Many critics have pointed out a grift on Hasan’s part, arguing he spends more of his time defending countries like China than advocating for true class liberation, beyond the borders of a state government.
