Longtime Democratic strategist James Carville escalated his criticism of left-wing streamer Hasan Piker on Tuesday, calling him an “idiot” and saying he does not consider Piker part of the Democratic Party, as reported by Fox News.

Carville made the comments during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Story,” where he was asked about Piker’s growing influence among progressives.

Piker, a self-described socialist streamer, has become a prominent voice on the political left and recently campaigned with Democratic Michigan U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

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"There's two things that I know about Hasan Piker. One, he's an idiot, and two, he's not a Democrat. So, I don't answer for idiots, and I don't answer for people who are not Democrats," Carville said on "The Story."

The comments continue a public dispute between Carville and Piker as Democratic socialists have gained a larger presence in Democratic politics ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Carville recently said he would leave the Democratic Party if Piker became a leading voice within it. He also argued that an “overwhelming majority” of Democrats share his concerns about Piker's influence.

"I understand that I'm a Democrat. I'm part of a big coalition, a big tent, and we all have an admission policy," Carville told Fox News. "But thank God Hasan Piker doesn't want in our frat, because we don't want him."

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Piker has also criticized Carville. During a recent stream, he referenced Carville and Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman while discussing their comments about potentially leaving the Democratic Party.

"We got John Fetterman, James Carville, fantasizing about leaving the party — I'm like, you're sweetening the deal," Piker said.

Piker previously drew controversy after saying “America deserved 9/11” during a stream in 2019. Fox News Digital reached out to Piker for comment.

Carville has also taken aim at the Democratic Socialists of America, arguing that the organization benefits from using the Democratic Party’s name despite supporting positions he says do not represent the party.

Carville specifically pointed to positions including defunding the police and called on the organization to remove “Democratic” from its name.

"What I would tell a Democratic socialist — ‘If you hate the Democratic brand so much, why use our words? Go call yourself something else. Call yourself the Socialists of America,’" Carville said.

Carville argued that the Democratic Party has a distinct political identity and said the Democratic Socialists of America should establish its own branding rather than using the name of the larger party.

"Don't put the first word in your title 'Democratic' because… that's our party. That's the party of civil rights. That's the party of women's rights. That's the party of balanced budget. That is the party of prosperity," he said.

"Don’t use our name. Make up your own name," he added.

Carville has previously warned that Democratic socialists are damaging the Democratic Party’s political brand.

His criticism comes as figures associated with democratic socialism continue to attract attention within Democratic politics.

The dispute also highlights an ongoing debate within the Democratic Party over the influence of online personalities and socialist groups as the party prepares for the 2026 elections.

Piker has developed a large following as a political streamer and has increasingly become involved in political campaigns.

His appearance alongside El-Sayed in Michigan has drawn attention as Democrats navigate divisions between establishment figures and activists on the party’s left.

Carville, a veteran Democratic strategist, has been outspoken about what he sees as differences between traditional Democratic politics and the positions promoted by some democratic socialists.

His latest comments make clear that his criticism of Piker is not limited to disagreements over individual policies.

Carville is also challenging whether Piker and other democratic socialists should be viewed as part of the Democratic Party itself.

For now, the disagreement remains part of a broader argument over who should define the Democratic Party and how much influence the party’s increasingly prominent socialist and online activist wings should have.

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