Slate Daily Feed ICYMI | Encore: Jubilee Is Making Debating Worse
Dec 24, 2025
In this insightful discussion, Slate staff writer Aymann Ismail analyzes the viral Jubilee video featuring Mehdi Hasan debating 20 far-right Republicans. He argues that as political disagreements increasingly become sensationalized content, it leads to issues like platforming extremists. Aymann critiques Jubilee’s shift towards attention-seeking formats that prioritize spectacle over meaningful discussion. They also explore the consequences of viral controversies and how participants benefit from notoriety, raising questions about the responsibility of platforms in shaping discourse.
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Disagreement As Entertainment
- Jubilee packages disagreement as entertainment, prioritizing viral conflict over genuine bridge-building.
- The format rewards spectacle and polarizing setups more than nuanced conversation.
Personal Identification With Mehdi Hassan
- Aymann Ismail identifies with Mehdi Hassan and expected rigorous debate given Hassan's history.
- He was shocked when the encounter became open verbal assault rather than reasoned argument.
Normalization Of Extremism On Camera
- The Mehdi Hassan episode exposed participants openly endorsing authoritarian and racist positions.
- That normalized extremism on camera, turning moral depravity into clickable content.