TODAY’S PAPER | February 17, 2026 | EPAPER

Emiru draws criticism after declining to comment on ICE during Twitch stream

She claimed she does not know anything about politics and should not be treated as a source of political guidance


Pop Culture & Art February 08, 2026 1 min read
Emiru draws criticism after declining to comment on ICE during Twitch stream

A brief exchange during a recent Twitch livestream has placed content creator Emiru at the centre of an online political debate after she declined to comment on US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

During the stream, a viewer asked Emiru for her opinion on ICE. She responded that she does not know anything about politics and should not be treated as a source of political guidance, adding that viewers seeking such opinions should “get off the Internet”.

The clip was shared widely on X, where it surpassed 11 million views and prompted strong reactions from both critics and supporters.

Some viewers interpreted Emiru’s refusal to engage as a political statement in itself. Several posts accused her of deliberately avoiding the subject to avoid alienating parts of her audience. One widely shared comment read, “Pretending to not know or care about politics so you don’t lose your racist followers is the most lame coward thing ever.” Others suggested her silence was influenced by her association with One True King, the creator organisation that includes figures such as Asmongold.

The criticism escalated as users framed her response as tacit support for ICE rather than neutrality. 

However, many viewers defended Emiru’s position, arguing that entertainers are not obliged to address complex political issues live on stream. One user wrote, “She said she is not your political news source, not that ICE is great. Reading neutrality as endorsement is unfair.” Another added that the backlash demonstrated why creators often avoid political discussion altogether.

Emiru has previously received widespread public support, including after an assault incident at TwitchCon in 2025. 

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