Mehdi Hasan shuts down 20 Donald Trump fans in explosive jubilee debate – viewers call him a ‘National Treasure'
Since then, Mehdi has spearheaded numerous investigative journalism and advocacy efforts, most notably concerning the ongoing war in Gaza, which he has termed a 'genocide'.
Mehdi is also a staunch critic of the current Donald Trump administration, and has built up a reputation as a formidable debater. On July 20, he showcased his passion for debating once more by appearing on Jubilee's Surrounded.
Surrounded is a YouTube series where a public debater deliberately disadvantages themselves by pitting themselves against 20 people of opposing viewpoints, with Mehdi facing off against hardline Donald Trump supporters who were staunchly anti-immigrant and openly supported many of the president's most controversial policies.
Mehdi would later post a highlight reel of the over 90-minute debate on his X account, which got a lot of reactions, with James Allan calling Mehdi a "National Treasure".
You're a National Treasure Mehdi.
Netizens rally around Mehdi after his Jubilee debate
Mehdi's highlight reel prompted a lot of responses on his X timeline, with many praising Mehdi's debating skills and commending him on facing off against America's radicalized right-wingers head on.
User doomer_world called Mehdi an American hero, which he looked all too happy to hear.
🙏🏽
User Nick Warren said that the others brought a pencil sharpener to a gatling gun fight.
They bought a pencil sharpener to a gatling gun fight...
User jocamp thanked Mehdi for everything.
🙏🏽
User Rickey Williams commended Mehdi for taking 'hate and fascism' full on, and said there was no barometer to gauge the amount of 'crazy' among the 20 right-wingers.
Words cannot express how much I appreciate you Mehdi, you took hate and fascism full on, there's no barometer to gauge the amount of crazy amongst those 20.
User whereisjarule_ stated that Mehdi was the best debater he'd ever seen.
Happy it's mehdi Hasan of all people going against them. He is the best debater I've ever seen!
User thelefttake condemned the people Mehdi debated against, saying they should be 'put on a watchlist'.
There are multiple people in this video who should be placed on a watchlist. It's actually scary knowing they walk among us.
Not all responses to Mehdi's debate were positive, however, with seasters jones saying that Mehdi shouldn't have given the 'fascists' a platform.
Had you never watched previous episodes? Just fascists getting crushed and acting like they won likely because they got to advertise/platform their hate.
User Grounded Spaceman accused Mehdi of just talking over everyone.
lol…this isn't the own you think it is. I'd wager that you can win a debate fair and square over the normal person.But this is just you talking over ppl. Fast and loud doesn't win a debate dude
User Landon Best said that Mehdi shouldn't call what he did a 'debate' because none of the 20 reactionaries he talked to had any ideas worth seriously considering.
Your #1 issue is calling this a debate when it's not. Debate implies these ideas are in any way meant to be taken seriously. There is nothing serious about any of the 20 reactionaries you talked to.
However, Landon was met with pushback by ValorieThomas, who pointed out that everyone in the video knew what they signed up for, and genuinely considered themselves debaters.
It's important to note that every person in that room knew what they were signed up for. Every person in there knew who would be sitting across the table. Everyone in that room thinks they are debaters with relevant, cogent ideas & arguments.
Mehdi Hasan has had a storied journalism career
Before establishing his own media company, Mehdi Hasan spent a long time building his credentials as a journalist and activist.
After doing a few stints on British networks such as ITV and BBC One, Mehdi rose to prominence as an anchor for Al Jazeera, following which he transitioned to MSNBC and hosted The Mehdi Hasan Show from 2020 to 2024.
Aside from his work on Zeteo, Mehdi is also a regular columnist for The Guardian.
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