Mehdi Hasan’s Show Axed! MSNBC's Controversial Call Leads to Intense Backlash
Hasan's show featured intense debates, real-time fact-checking and unrelenting questioning, forcing guests to give direct answers
MSNBC and its Peacock streaming service are pulling the plug on The Mehdi Hasan Show, the timing leaving supporters of Palestinian rights fuming over the loss of his fearless critiques of Israeli policies.
Known for his candid interviewing style, Hasan has amassed a devoted following. Viral clips of his intense debates, often with right-wing figures, showcase his persuasive prowess.
Hasan's vocal criticisms of Israel's military actions and “apartheid” policies against Palestinians, along with his opposition to U.S. Middle East wars, set him apart in a media landscape criticized for its jingoism, Islamophobia, and anti-Palestinian posturing.
The reported cancellation has sparked a firestorm of protest, as many decry the loss of Hasan's unique voice in corporate media, especially on issues like Gaza.
Cenk Uygur, host of The Young Turks and Democratic presidential candidate, didn't mince words on X: "MSNBC canceled Mehdi Hasan's show. Because, of course, they did. It's not just because he treats Muslims as real human beings, it's also because he actually challenges his guests. And that is the biggest heresy in mainstream media. Access must be protected!"
Congressmember Ilhan Omar said, “It is deeply troubling that MSNBC is canceling his show amid a rampant rise of anti-Muslim bigotry and suppression of Muslim voices.”
Columnist Donna Miles emphasized the crucial role of voices like Hasan's among intellectual Muslim communities globally. Losing such voices, she argued, risks fostering extremism in the void left behind.
Human rights attorney Noura Erakat also criticized the cancellation, tweeting: "@msnbc makes this make sense. @mehdirhasan's program has felt like an oasis on air and more needed than ever. He should be amplified, not shut down."
Debates, Fact-Checking, and Unrelenting Questions: The Essence of Hasan's Show
Hasan's show was a platform for intense debates, real-time fact-checking, and unrelenting questioning, refusing guests an escape from giving direct answers.
In a riveting November interview, he didn't mince words while grilling Mark Regev, the senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former ambassador to the UK. Hasan directly confronted Regev on the disturbingly high Palestinian civilian death toll, particularly focusing on the tragic loss of Palestinian children at the hands of the Israeli military.
Hasan's hard-hitting question got straight to the point: "They're people your government has killed. You've killed children. You accept that, right? Or do you deny that?" Regev's stark admission came without hesitation: "No, I do not."
Alongside Ayman Mohyeldin and NBC’s Ali Velshi, Hasan was one of the few Muslim anchors on American television.
Reflecting on the optics, progressive Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna wrote: "Bad move by MSNBC to cancel @mehdirhasan's show, especially when he's vocal for human rights in Gaza. MSNBC owes the public an explanation. Why now?"
Jewish Army Veteran David Weissman, expressed on X, "It was a mistake for MSNBC to cancel Mehdi Hasan’s show. I say this as an American Jew with dual citizenship with Israel and as a pro-Israel activist. We should be able to have the tough discussions and give people a chance to debunk any lies about the war."
Hasan, a Briton of Indian descent, moved to the US in 2015 and became a U.S. citizen in 2020.
Formerly a senior columnist at the Intercept and a regular contributor to the Guardian, Hasan will now transition to an on-camera analyst and guest host role, according to reports. The Peacock original show will be replaced by an additional hour of Ayman, the news program hosted by Ayman Mohyeldin.
