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Haz Al-Din | |
|---|---|
 Al-Din in 2024 | |
| Born | 1996 (age 28–29) Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Chairman of the American Communist Party |
| Organization | Institute for a Free America[1] |
| Known for | Co-founding the American Communist Party DevelopingMAGA communism |
| Political party | American Communist Party |
| Movement | Socialism in the United States |
Haz Al-Din[a] (born 1996) is anAmericanlive streamer,political commentator, andactivist, known for serving as the founding chairman of theAmerican Communist Party (ACP) and leading the Institute for a Free Americathink tank.[4][5] He co-founded the ACP in 2024 following a split in theCommunist Party USA (CPUSA),[6] citing the CPUSA's support for theDemocratic Party and alleged abandonment ofMarxism–Leninism.[7] Beyond his role in the ACP, Al-Din is a showrunner ofInfrared, aYouTube andKick program on which he advocates for Marxism–Leninism,populism, and consolidatingworking-classDonald Trump supporters into acommunist movement.[8][9][10]
Al-Din's political work has drawn both support and criticism across ideological lines, withliberal andleftist commentators denouncing his rejection ofidentity politics,[who?] asserting his advocacy ofclass struggle through mass populism is oftenreactionary in nature.[11][better source needed] Al-Din rejects these assertions, stating that critics misunderstand the distinction between his strategic approach and Marxist–Leninist commitments.[12]
Haz Al-Din was born inMichigan in 1996 toLebaneseShia[13][unreliable source?] immigrants who had fled theLebanese Civil War in the 1970s and settled in anArab-majority part of the state.[8] He became interested incommunism at the age of 12 or 13, initially drawn to theSoviet Union's achievements, which he found to be far more sophisticated than what was commonly taught in Western education.[14]
Al-Din pursued a law degree, but took a permanent leave of absence fromlaw school after completing his first year to beginlivestreaming full-time withInfrared.[13] Al-Din is aMuslim;[15] he currently resides in theDetroit metropolitan area in Michigan.
Al-Din attendedMichigan State University, where he first engaged withleft-wing politics and became involved inMarxist theory.[10] Initially influenced byWestern Marxism, he later adoptedMarxism–Leninism and developed an interest inChinese political philosophy, particularlyXi Jinping Thought.[10]
In 2020, he launchedInfrared onYouTube, focusing on Marxist–Leninist analysis,geopolitical debates, and criticism ofwestern left movements.[5]Infrared grew in popularity through aggressive debate tactics, engaging with figures across thepolitical spectrum, including left-wing,conservative, andnationalist commentators.[5]
Infrared gained wider attention with the emergence ofMAGA communism, a term first used in 2022 by Al-Din, viewers ofInfrared, and political commentatorJackson Hinkle. The MAGA communism ideology and movement sought to synthesizeMarxist economic policies with thepopulist energy ofDonald Trump'sMAGAmovement, arguing that the latter represented aworking-class realignment againstneoliberalglobalism.[12]
The movement attracted controversy, with critics labeling it an opportunistic rebranding ofcommunism to appeal to disaffectedconservatives.The Guardian described MAGA communism as a "fringe movement" that attempted to blend populist rhetoric withsocialist terminology.[8]
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In July 2024, Al-Din co-founded theAmerican Communist Party (ACP) alongsideJackson Hinkle, Christopher Helali, Carlos Garrido, and others following a split in theCommunist Party USA (CPUSA).[4] The ACP was formed in response to what its founders described as the CPUSA's alignment with theDemocratic Party and abandonment of revolutionary principles.[6][7]
The ACP positions itself as ananti-imperialist and Marxist–Leninistparty advocating for thenationalization of key industries,working-classsovereignty, and a rejection of liberalidentity politics.[16] Under Al-Din's leadership as chairman, the party has framed itself as a legitimate successor to therevolutionary communist tradition in theUnited States, with a focus onlabor organizing, international solidarity, and opposition toNATO.[17]
On February 23, 2025, Al-Din, along with fellow ACP representatives Jackson Hinkle and Christopher Helali, attended thefuneral of Hassan Nasrallah inBeirut, Lebanon.[18][19]
Al-Din is a self-proclaimedcommunist. He promotesMarxism–Leninism andleft-wing populism, asserting that the modern left has failed to garner the support of theAmerican working-class.[10] Al-Din has argued that Marxism–Leninism assumes a national form, rejecting the idea thatclass struggle exists in an abstractinternationalist vacuum. He claims that true international solidarity is "based on a solidarity between nations", and that national sovereignty is fundamental to developing socialist movements in individual countries.[12]
Beyond Marxism–Leninism, Al-Din has incorporated the philosophical works ofMartin Heidegger andAleksandr Dugin into his political thinking, arguing that their critiques ofliberalmodernity provide essential insights for constructing a post-liberalsocialist order.[20]
Al-Din has described theSoviet Union as an ideal civilization that sought technological and economic modernization while maintaining a deep respect for its historical memory and culture.[14]
According to Kathleen Hayes of theJewish Journal, Al-Din is sympathetic to "Middle Easternjihadism" and has attempted to forge ared–green alliance withIslamists.[19]
Al-Din is critical of both theDemocratic andRepublican parties, asserting thatcapitalism has failed working people.[10]
He has expressed skepticism about the role of thepresident of the United States, stating that the system itself dictates political outcomes, regardless of leadership.[21] He has argued thatDonald Trump's presidency will fail to salvage the American political system and that the American Communist Party (ACP) is preparing for an inevitable systemic andconstitutional crisis.[21]
While he does not endorse Trump, Al-Din has expressed pragmatism in navigating political structures, stating that the ACP is open to pursuing all available avenues to advance its political goals,[21] including aligning withTrumpism.
Al-Din takes ananti-electoralism stance towardAmerican presidential elections, claiming that he's never voted in a presidential election though he was sympathetic to the presidential campaigns ofBernie Sanders.[8]
Al-Din's stances onanti-imperialism andmultipolarity have drawn attention, particularly his support forRussia,China, andNorth Korea, which he describes as resistant toWestern imperialism.[8][10] In an interview withThe Guardian, he expressed "profound admiration" forKim Jong-un, citing North Korea's "resilience" againstWestern hegemony.[8]
He has called for the complete dissolution ofNATO, arguing that the alliance serves as an instrument of Western imperialism.[21] He has supportedRussia's war in Ukraine, framing it as a necessary challenge to Western hegemony, and has advocated for closerU.S. relations with China.[22]
He has also expressed support for theAxis of Resistance, includingIran,Hezbollah, and other groups opposed toIsraeli influence in theMiddle East, stating that they serve as an inspiration to anti-imperialist movements worldwide.[21]
Al-Din'spolitical views have been widely debated, with critics accusing him ofco-optingsocialist rhetoric to advance areactionary agenda.[8][5] HisMAGA communism ideology has been described byThe Guardian as a "fringeextremist movement" that co-opts socialist rhetoric while embracing elements ofnationalism andauthoritarian conservatism.[8]
Observers fromVice News andCompact Magazine have argued that MAGA communism lacks ideological consistency and is more of a cultural provocation than a coherent political movement.[5]Yale professor Daniel HoSang has described it as an opportunistic ideology that shifts working-class discontent into a reactionary framework.[5] The PERIL Lab atAmerican University has suggested that it appeals to politically disillusioned groups and is exploited by online extremist networks.[5]
Al-Din has rejected claims that MAGA communism is inherently reactionary, stating that critics misunderstand the distinction between its strategic approach and ideological commitments. He has said that many mainstream depictions of the movement are "superficial" and fail to grasp its deeper working-class objectives.[12]
In 2022, Al-Din was banned fromTwitch after researchers flagged his channel,InfraredShow, for spreadingpro-Russia narratives about theRussian invasion of Ukraine.[22] A Tech Transparency Project investigation identified his Twitch channel as one of multiple platforms amplifying Russian state-alignedmisinformation, including claims about the "de-Nazification" ofUkraine and false allegations of Western-backedbiolabs in Ukraine.[23] TheFinancial Times also reported on his content moderation disputes, highlighting his involvement in spreading narratives aligned with Russian foreign policy and his subsequent removal from multiple platforms.[22][23][8]
In April 2024, Al-Din co-hosted the "Free America to Free Palestine" event inDearborn, Michigan, alongsideJackson Hinkle, discussing strategies for influencing U.S. foreign policy and achievingPalestinian liberation. The event, which attracted controversy due to itsanti-Zionist rhetoric and alignment with MAGA communism, was covered byNewsweek for its unorthodox political messaging.[17]CNN also reported on the event, highlighting its pro-Russia and anti-Israel rhetoric, which were key themes of the event.[24]
Haz Al-Din, one of the leading theorists of MAGA Communism, discusses the ideology, its relation to Trumpism, and the future of American communism.
