On September 26, 2025, during a live taping of his show at ArabCon—an annual conference focused on Arab American issues in Dearborn, Michigan—former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan shared the stage with Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef.
The event, which drew criticism for its perceived anti-Israel slant, featured a panel discussion on U.S. foreign policy and the Israel-Palestine conflict. While critiquing pro-Israel lawmakers, Hasan referenced Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), a U.S. Army veteran who lost both legs and his left index finger in 2010 after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) in Afghanistan.
Hasan highlighted Mast's strong support for Israel, including an incident where Mast wore an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) uniform to Capitol Hill shortly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel that killed about 1,200 people.
Youssef then interjected with a crass joke: "He lost his legs, and then he lost his balls and his honor." The audience erupted in laughter, and Hasan, after a brief pause, burst into audible chuckles before composing himself and adding, "He is one of the most racist people in Congress, and that’s saying a lot, because there’s a big competition for most racist member of Congress."
The moment was captured on video and quickly went viral, sparking widespread backlash for mocking a combat veteran's sacrifice.Context on the Key FiguresMehdi Hasan: A British-American journalist and outspoken critic of Israeli policies, Hasan hosted The Mehdi Hasan Show on MSNBC until its cancellation in November 2023.