Hasan Piker Favors Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez for 2028 Presidential Bid

Hasan Piker, a well-known Twitch streamer, expressed his preference for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as the 2028 presidential candidate compared to other potential Democratic contenders. He believes Ocasio-Cortez has the ability to energize the Democratic base and rally infrequent voters.

In an interview with Mehdi Hasan on Zeteo, Piker chose Ocasio-Cortez over Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., stating, AOC. It’s not even a question. He highlighted her as a standout among Democratic hopefuls, such as California Gov. Gavin Newsom, former Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, and others.

Piker commented that the congresswoman’s race and gender might pose challenges, yet he dismissed the notion that these would be insurmountable obstacles. He maintained that Ocasio-Cortez could overcome these issues with a strong campaign and by engaging voters who often skip elections.

As long as you have moral conviction, excite the base, and create a unique coalition, Piker stated, she could be a fantastic left candidate. He likened her potential to that of Sen. Bernie Sanders, whose past campaigns raised democratic socialism’s profile.

Despite his support, Piker criticized Ocasio-Cortez for being too focused on optics. He noted her effectiveness on social media and legislative work but suggested she sometimes prioritized image over substance. She doesn’t harness the populist rage, he said.

Fox News Digital attempted to contact Ocasio-Cortez for comment without success. She has not declared a 2028 presidential campaign and remains undecided about such a run.

CJ Womack contributed to this report. As an associate editor at Fox News Digital, he joined in 2026 with experience in political reporting. CJ earned a BA in Political Science and a minor in Journalism from Long Beach State University in 2025.