Why is Valkyrae apologizing to her fans for DM'ing Asmongold? Complete controversy explained

Twitch streamer, Rachell 'Valkyrae' Hofstetter, apologized to her fans during a livestream on October 12, 2025. The streamer had earlier defended HasanAbi amid his ongoing animal abuse controversy, and stated that Hasan's dog was "loved" and well taken care of. She faced widespread backlash for that on social media platforms, including Reddit.

In a new clip shared on the r/LiveStreamFail sub-reddit, Rachell said she spoke to streamers "Nick Polum, and Asmongold" and asked them for advice on responding to the "posts" about her. The disclosure reportedly fueled more backlash against the streamer, with many criticizing her for speaking with the controversial political commentator Zach 'Asmongold' Hoyt.

Asmongold has been a controversial streaming personality for quite some time now. His comments on Palestine resulted in him being banned from Twitch back in October 2024. Things have never been the same for Asmongold ever since the incident.

So when Valkyrae approached him, she came under intense criticism from her community and put out an apology to all her fans.

Taking accountability for the situation, Valkyrae apologized to her fans for "not being aware enough." In a clip shared by X user @Awk20000, she can be heard saying:

"I apologize to my community. It was probably so hurtful and so jarring."

She added:

"I'm under a rock, and that's my fault. I think everyone, including myself, should be more aware of, you know, what's going on in the world. What people are saying. I just, like, it is my fault, at the end of the day. It is my fault. Literally no one's fault, but my own. I'm not aware enough, and that's on me."

In a minute long video posted on October 11, she said:

"I messaged two people about LSF (r/LivestreamFail subreddit). I messaged Nick Polom, and I messaged Asmongold. I asked both of them, I was like, 'Hey, I don't really use Reddit a whole lot, but like, do you think it's a good idea or bad idea if I respond to a post and be like, 'Oh, I understand where you guys are coming from. I'm sorry, I should've definitely spoken about it differently.'' And both of them reassured me that it is a good idea to not, because I know they are, like, they're Reddit people."

Explained: Valkyrae apologizes to her fans for DM'ing Asmongold

Many questioned what motivated Valkyrae to reach out to Asmongold amid the HasanAbi animal abuse controversy. She explained on the stream that she knows he and Nick are familiar with "Reddit." She added that they had advised her not to engage with the posts.

Following the escalating criticism for messaging Asmongold, Rachell took to her stream and apologized to her fans and community. She elaborated:

"I think I do a good job recognizing when I do mess up and accepting that, and being okay with it. But it's all good. I hear you guys. I see you guys. You're right. You're so right. And it is a hundred thousand percent my fault for not being aware enough, and I need to be more proactive and being aware of people and what's going on in this world."

"My fault for not being aware enough..prob so hurtful & so jarring..I think everyone, including myself, should be more aware of what’s going on in the world..I’m not aware enough..I hear you guys”

Valkyrae's apology to her fans left the internet divided. While many questioned her intervention in the HasanAbi controversy, some were surprised that she had to apologize for messaging another streamer.

Meanwhile, Asmongold has responded to Valkyrae in the below video:

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