Progressive influencer Hasan Piker files defamation lawsuit against CNN's Scott Jennings

Progressive Twitch influencer Hasan Piker filed a defamation lawsuit against CNN commentator Scott Jennings on Tuesday, alleging Jennings falsely accused Piker of advocating for the lynching of Black Americans. 

The lawsuit, which was filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., concerns an Aug. 11 episode of "The Scott Jennings Show." During the episode, Jennings shared clips of Piker and claimed he had said, "The USA should resume lynchings against Black people.”

Piker had threatened legal action in August over the claim and shared further context, The Hill reported. 

Piker alleges Jennings knowingly misrepresented sarcastic comments he made during his livestreams to make it appear the streamer had endorsed racial violence. 

Jennings "took a false, fabricated, and manipulated video of Mr. Piker, added a made-up quotation that Mr. Piker never uttered, and then made accusations that went beyond even what the manipulated footage purported to show," the lawsuit alleges.