Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is demanding that Yale University lose federal funding after a left-wing livestreamer and Democratic activist declared on air that “if you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott.” The Florida Republican used his Sunday Fox News appearance to tie the incendiary rhetoric directly to the Democratic Party, saying, “This is the Democrat Party.”
Hasan Piker, a hugely popular Twitch streamer and political commentator with millions of followers, made the comment during a recent livestream. Piker, who is the nephew of “The Young Turks” co-founder Cenk Uygur, has a long history of provocative statements – including saying “America deserved 9/11,” defending the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, and praising Hezbollah.
Scott, who co-founded the Columbia Hospital Corporation (Columbia/HCA) before entering politics, has faced decades of scrutiny over his role in what was then the largest Medicare fraud case in U.S. history. The company was fined $1.7 billion and pleaded guilty to 14 felonies. Scott invoked his Fifth Amendment rights numerous times but was never charged criminally.
“He wants me killed. He wants every capitalist murdered,” Scott told “Fox News Sunday.” “He said that we deserve 9/11. He’s clearly antisemitic. Democrats are campaigning with this guy.”
The Call: ‘You Would Kill Rick Scott’
The specific comment from Piker came during a discussion of healthcare fraud and Scott’s history as CEO of Columbia/HCA. Piker, known for his aggressive, left-wing populist style, said:
“If you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott.”
While Piker’s defenders argue the comment was hyperbolic rhetoric common in online political commentary, Scott is taking it as a direct threat. He has since called for Yale University – where Piker was invited to speak at an event – to lose federal funding.
“There’s no way my taxpayer money from Florida should be going to these places,” Scott said. “These universities can do whatever they want, but they can’t expect federal funding if they want to support people that want to murder me and murder capitalists and are antisemitic and say that Americans deserve 9/11.”
Hasan Piker’s History of Controversial Remarks
Piker, 34, has built an enormous online following (over 2.5 million followers on Twitch and 1.2 million on YouTube) by blending gaming, political commentary, and a confrontational style. His comments have repeatedly drawn condemnation:
| Controversial Statement | Context |
|---|---|
| “America deserved 9/11” | 2019 stream; later partially walked back |
| On Oct. 7 Hamas attack: “direct consequence” of Israeli actions; if rape occurred “doesn’t change the dynamic for me” | 2023 stream |
| Praised “brave mujahideen” for injuring Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-Texas) | 2020 stream |
| Defended Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terrorist group | Multiple streams |
| Used the slur “cracker” | 2019 stream |
Piker has occasionally conceded that some remarks were wrong, but his core messaging remains staunchly anti-capitalist and anti-establishment. He has also become increasingly involved in Democratic primary politics, campaigning for candidates like Michigan Senate hopeful Abdul El-Sayed.
Rick Scott’s Medicare Fraud History: The Columbia/HCA Scandal
Scott’s outrage over Piker’s mention of Medicare fraud is complicated by his own corporate past. As CEO of Columbia/HCA from 1997 to 2001, he presided over a company that ultimately pleaded guilty to 14 felonies and paid a $1.7 billion fine – at the time the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history. The fraud included:
- Overbilling Medicare and Medicaid
- Paying kickbacks for patient referrals
- Filing false cost reports
- Billing for unnecessary lab tests
Scott was never charged. He invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 75 times during a deposition. He later said he took “responsibility” for what happened as a “hard lesson.” He left the company with a severance package worth over $300 million in stock options and a $10 million cash payment.
Today, Scott is the second-wealthiest member of the Senate, with a net worth exceeding $500 million, according to Quiver Quantitative.
The Political Fight: Democrats Divided Over Piker
Piker’s growing influence has created a rift within the Democratic Party. Progressive figures like Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) argue that engaging with online influencers like Piker is necessary to win future elections. Khanna has said that pols who don’t “will cost us future elections.”
But moderate Democrats and Republicans alike have condemned Piker’s rhetoric. Sen. Scott is using the controversy to paint the entire Democratic Party as extreme.
“The Democrat Party supports this stuff,” Scott said.
Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, who has campaigned with Piker, has not commented on the “kill Rick Scott” remark. The Democratic National Committee has also stayed silent.
Yale University’s Role
Yale University invited Piker to speak at an event, which Scott cited as justification for cutting federal funding to the Ivy League school. Yale receives hundreds of millions of dollars in federal grants and contracts annually. Scott’s threat to defund the university over a guest speaker is unusual, but not unprecedented – similar threats have been made by lawmakers on both sides over controversial campus speakers.
Yale has not commented on the matter. Piker has not responded to Scott’s demand.
What Happens Next
- Sen. Scott’s funding threat: Unlikely to pass a Democratic-controlled Senate, but could become a campaign talking point.
- Piker’s platform: No sign of deplatforming; his viewership remains high.
- Democratic response: Party leaders will likely distance themselves from Piker while trying not to alienate young progressive voters.
FAQ: Hasan Piker – Rick Scott Feud
Q: What exactly did Hasan Piker say about Rick Scott?
A: During a livestream, Piker said, “if you cared about Medicare fraud or Medicaid fraud, you would kill Rick Scott.”
Q: Did Piker threaten Scott directly?
A: The comment was a rhetorical call to violence, not a specific threat. However, Scott is treating it as a threat.
Q: What is Rick Scott’s connection to Medicare fraud?
A: As CEO of Columbia/HCA, his company paid a $1.7 billion fine for defrauding Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs. Scott was never charged.
Q: What other controversial things has Hasan Piker said?
A: He said “America deserved 9/11,” defended the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, praised Hezbollah, and used racial slurs.
Q: Is Yale really at risk of losing federal funding?
A: Unlikely, but Scott’s threat could energize conservative voters.
