Close All Tabs A Political Reckoning for Twitch?
Oct 29, 2025
Nathan Grayson, co-founder of Aftermath and author of *Stream Big*, dives into the complexities of Twitch as a political platform. He discusses the recent assault incident at TwitchCon and the growing concerns over safety for streamers. Grayson highlights how political commentary has surged on Twitch, with streamers like Hassan Piker gaining significant audiences during the pandemic. The conversation also tackles the challenges of moderation and the financial implications of political content on the platform, raising questions about Twitch’s future.
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Assault At TwitchCon Exposed Gaps
- Emiru was assaulted at a Twitch-organized meet-and-greet and said event staff didn't intervene.
- Her private security and manager were the ones who physically stopped the attacker.
Twitch Shifted From Games To Politics
- Twitch evolved from gaming-only to hosting political talk after adding Just Chatting and IRL categories.
- The pandemic and 2020 election accelerated political streams' rise and mainstream influence.
Hassan Helped Build Political Audiences
- Hassan Piker's growth helped put political streaming on Twitch's map, drawing large audiences.
- His style curated complex events in relatable internet-native language for younger viewers.
