We’re Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends ‘Israel’s Sugar Daddy’ – Mehdi and Bassem on Trump, Kimmel, Mamdani, and Two Years of Genocide
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Sep 30, 2025 
Bassem Youssef, a renowned comedian and satirist, joins Mehdi for a lively discussion at ArabCon 2025. They tackle Trump's alarming attacks on free speech and analyze shifting public sentiment toward Israel amidst ongoing conflict. The duo critiques celebrity double standards in outrage and explores the role of big tech in perpetuating censorship. As they engage with the audience, they discuss the challenges of activism, the complexities of condemning violence, and the potential impact of political candidates like Zohran Mamdani.
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Resurgence Of Open Bigotry
- Racism and open bigotry didn't vanish; they were shamed into silence and now feel empowered to speak openly.
- Mehdi Hasan and Bassem Youssef argue American institutions and media have enabled their resurgence.
Host Debates An Alleged Extremist
- Mehdi described debating an alleged extremist for two and a half hours as the weirdest professional experience.
- He brought security and feared for his safety as the opponent displayed violent ties.
Regulate Big Tech To Reclaim Speech
- Vote for politicians who will regulate and break up Big Tech to reduce corporate speech control.
- Push for legislative pressure so platforms can't unilaterally censor or amplify genocidal propaganda.