Mehdi Hasan Will Leave MSNBC After Network Canceled Sunday Show

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan said Sunday he is leaving the network, effective immediately, after his Sunday night show was canceled late last year.

Its been an absolute blast doing this live show on MSNBC, Hasan told viewers during his closing remarks on his final program Sunday. Its been a privilege, its been a pleasure. But, as we begin 2024 with an election coming, a war still ongoing and too many Trump trials honestly to even keep track of Ive decided its time for me to look for a new challenge.

Some personal news: I've decided to leave MSBNC.

New year, new plans, new challenges:pic.twitter.com/A4ArRYk9d2

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Some personal news: I've decided to leave MSBNC.

New year, new plans, new challenges:pic.twitter.com/A4ArRYk9d2
Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) January 8, 2024

Hasan, a former journalist for Al Jazeera English and the Intercept, launched his eponymous show on Peacock in 2020 before MSNBC began showing it in 2021. He quickly drew fans who praised the host for his direct lines of questioning and his takedowns of the Republican Party .

He was one of three Muslim hosts at the network alongside colleagues Ayman Mohyeldin and Ali Velshi, and one of just a few on network TV.

MSNBC canceled Hasans show in November as part of what it described as a weekend lineup change. But the move prompted backlash from those who championed Hasans coverage of the Israel-Hamas war and his fierce critiques of the Israeli governments actions in Gaza.

It is bad optics for MSNBC to cancel @mehdirhasans show right at a time when he is vocal for human rights in Gaza with the war ongoing, Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), wrote on X at the time. As a strong supporter of free speech, MSNBC owes the public an explanation for this decision. Why would they choose to do this now?

Hasans coverage often went viral on social media as he took aim at former President Donald Trump and supported the Palestinian people. Recently, Hasan questioned Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israels prime minister, on the thousands of children killed in Gaza since Hamas attack on Israel Oct. 7.

Me: \"You accept that you [Israel] have killed children [in Gaza]? Or do you deny that?\"

Netanyahu adviser Mark Regev: \"No, I do not. First of all, you don't know how those people died, those children.\"

Me: \"Oh wow.\"pic.twitter.com/UGLsEktyFf

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Me: "You accept that you [Israel] have killed children [in Gaza]? Or do you deny that?"

Netanyahu adviser Mark Regev: "No, I do not. First of all, you don't know how those people died, those children."

Me: "Oh wow."pic.twitter.com/UGLsEktyFf
Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) November 17, 2023

The Washington Post reported in November that the decision to cancel his program was not related to his coverage of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

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MSNBC initially said Hasan was meant to stay on as a political analyst and fill-in anchor. But he said Sunday the new year merited a change in his professional aspirations.

I am so proud, so so proud, of what weve achieved on this show, on this network, Hasan added. But as I say, new year, new plans.