“I Can’t Wait for This Election to Be Over”: Mehdi Hasan Says It’s Toxic for Muslim and Arab Americans Choosing Between Candidates

The rise of toxic political rhetoric has left Muslim and Arab Americans caught in a painful bind. In a recent interview, AMT Editor-in-Chief Rifat Malik spoke with renowned journalist Mehdi Hasan about the fallout from the 2024 U.S. election. Hasan candidly shared, “Amid genocide, we’re forced to choose between two candidates who both support it.”

He also reflected on a recent CNN broadcast, where he found himself confronting an unexpected accusation. "I’ve debated people from all walks of life, but never have I had to walk out of a discussion live on air," Hasan recalls, referring to an on-air incident where he was accused of being sympathetic to Hamas and called a "terrorist" by a right-wing commentator, Ryan Girdusky.

Hasan, who has built his career on interviewing polarizing figures, found this attack to be a new low. "The idea that someone could suggest on air that you might be blown up for supporting the Palestinian people was insane to me," he said.

Despite the racially charged comments, Hasan insists that racism wasn’t the core issue. "The racism wasn’t the problem. I’m used to people throwing labels like ‘you’re Hamas,’ ‘you’re biased,’ or ‘anti-Semitic’ at any Muslim or brown person. But this went further." 

Hasan, who has spent over 15 years on live television, spoke about the added pressure Muslims face when confronting these issues. "Muslims are not born with thicker skin than anyone else. The expectation that we should just take these slurs is unfair," he noted, praising fellow panelist Ashley Allison, a Black woman, who stood by him during the ordeal. "It’s forgotten in this country that we all need to stick together against bigotry."

As Hasan reflects on the incident, he’s clear about one thing: “This is how emboldened the MAGA movement has become, even before their hero has won a second term in office. God help us all.”

Caught Between Political Extremes 

Dr. Butch Ware 

Hasan's work hasn’t just attracted ire from right-wing commentators. He has faced criticism from both ends of the political spectrum. Weeks before the CNN incident, he was labeled a "pro-Israel apologist" by Green Party vice-presidential candidate Dr. Butch Ware. In a now-viral post, Ware called Hasan a “house N-word” and an FBI informant, accusing him of betraying the Palestinian cause. 

“Welcome to my world,” Hasan quipped when asked about these attacks by Malik. "I’m attacked by people from all sides. On one hand, I’m branded a terrorist for defending Palestinians, and on the other, I’m called a sellout for not being critical enough of Israel."

The Dilemma of the Green Party 

Jill Stein rallies in Allegheny County, inspiring Green Party supporters for her 2024 presidential run

Hasan is particularly critical of the Green Party, which he believes is misleading voters with false promises. "They say, ‘Vote for us; we’ll stop the genocide.’ But that’s dishonest. Suppose genocide is your number one issue, and you get what you want from the Democrats. In that case, you can’t continue to undermine them," he explained, pointing out that the Green Party’s strategy could ultimately help re-elect Donald Trump. 

Despite his frustration with both major parties, Hasan remains pragmatic. "I can say the Democrats are complicit in genocide and war crimes, but at the same time, I know that Trump will be worse for Muslims, worse for the planet, and worse for American democracy." 

One of the ways Hasan has tackled these challenges is through Zeteo, his independent media platform. “I started Zeteo because I didn’t want to be beholden to corporate boardrooms or advertisers. I wanted to speak truthfully and freely,” he explained. The platform, launched after he departed from MSNBC, has grown rapidly, attracting nearly 300,000 subscribers globally, many of them Muslim. 

"I’ve had overwhelming support from the community, especially from Muslims who were tired of the mainstream media’s biased coverage of Gaza and other issues,” Hasan told Malik, reflecting on Zeteo’s success. 

Freedom of Speech and the US Media Landscape 

Exclusive interview with political commentator Mehdi Hasan 

When asked by Malik whether he faced censorship at MSNBC, particularly on the issue of Israel and Palestine, Hasan was candid. "Wherever you work, you’re an employee. You’re never going to have full freedom unless you own the platform," he stated. While he was outspoken on Gaza and Palestine during his time at MSNBC, Hasan believes that true editorial freedom can only come from independence. 

For Hasan, the rise of independent platforms is part of a larger trend in the media. “We’re seeing exponential growth in independent media because mainstream outlets don’t provide diverse voices or perspectives,” he said. "But I’m not one of those people who says ‘burn down the mainstream media.’ You need to reach audiences where they are." 

As the U.S. election approaches and tensions continue to rise in the Middle East, Hasan remains focused on the larger picture. “Our community has become so divided, so toxic, and we’re not addressing the actual threats—whether it’s Netanyahu, Trump, or Elon Musk. We need to stop attacking each other and focus on the real issues.” 

Despite the challenges he faces, Hasan remains hopeful. "We’re not kidding around at Zateo. We’ve built something that will last, and we’ll keep speaking truth to power, no matter who’s in office."