We're Not Kidding with Mehdi & Friends

Live from New York — it's 'We're Not Kidding'! This past week, Mehdi traveled to the 'On Air Fest' in Brooklyn for a very special LIVE taping of 'WNK' with award-winning sports journalist and broadcaster Jemele Hill. You may remember Jemele from the first Trump administration, when political 'nepo baby' and then-White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders called for ESPN to fire Jemele for calling Donald Trump a white supremacist. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mehdi and Jemele discuss Trump and Elon Musk's recent attacks on the press and the dangerous behavior of mainstream journalists who value access over solidarity. They also dig into the crucial intersection of sports and politics, including Trump's historic Super Bowl appearance, the capitulation of (some) professional sports leagues, the 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics, and whether the NFL is responsible for Trump running for president. "To be honest, I sort of blame the NFL because we have to deal with Trump in this capacity," Jemele says. Intriguing, right? SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: https://zeteo.com/subscribe WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO 'WE'RE NOT KIDDING' ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/were-not-kidding-with-mehdi-and-friends FIND ZETEO: Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_news Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonews FIND MEHDI: Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasan Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasan FIND JEMELE: Twitter: https://x.com/jemelehill Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jemelehill/ 'Spolitics' with Jemele Hill: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/1119-spolitics-222755070/ CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Jemele Hill Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali Special thanks: Stephen Wentzell

Bassem Youssef, an internationally acclaimed comedian, joins Mehdi for a candid discussion packed with insight and humor. They delve into Trump's second term, questioning whether the U.S. empire is on the brink of collapse and the effectiveness of resistance movements. Bassem shares his take on the controversial Elon Musk and the complexities of American political honesty. The conversation takes a satirical turn, analyzing Trump's disturbing paternal image among supporters and reflecting on the geopolitical absurdities in today's world.

In this captivating conversation, journalist Taylor Lorenz, known for her insights into tech and online culture, joins Mehdi to dissect the growing influence of tech oligarchs like Zuckerberg and Musk. They discuss the problematic TikTok ban, the implications of billionaires' control over social media, and how these dynamics affect free speech. Taylor passionately critiques calls for Democrats to wage war on these platforms, advocating instead for strategic engagement. Tune in for a lively debate on the intersection of politics and technology!

In a candid conversation, Huda Kattan shares her journey from Tennessee to becoming a beauty mogul. She reflects on the realization that U.S. media often serves specific agendas. The chat delves into the importance of diversity in the beauty industry and Huda's staunch activism regarding Gaza. She confronts the silence of celebrities on pressing issues and firmly states her stance against using her brand for any supportive narrative of genocide. Their dialogue explores the intersections of identity, culture, and social justice.

Hasan Minhaj and Mehdi Hasan don't just share a common brown name… actually, that may be all they have in common. One loves to debate, the other avoids it like the plague. One is obsessed (sorry, Mehdi) with Twitter, the other avoids it like the plague. And one knew months ago that Trump was going to win, and with record levels of Black and Brown support. They also talked about Joe Rogan and diagnosing what's the matter with men these days, pseudo-intellectualism, Hasan's latest Netflix special - including the perplexities and paradoxes of "Beigistan", and yes, the whole 'Daily Show' thing with Hasan and the New Yorker. SUBSCRIBE TO ZETEO TO SUPPORT INDEPENDENT AND UNFILTERED JOURNALISM: https://zeteo.com/subscribe WATCH, LISTEN AND SUBSCRIBE TO 'WE'RE NOT KIDDING' ON SUBSTACK: https://zeteo.com/s/were-not-kidding-with-mehdi-and-friends FIND ZETEO: Twitter: https://twitter.com/zeteo_news Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zeteonews TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@zeteonews FIND MEHDI: Substack: https://substack.com/@mehdirhasan Twitter: https://twitter.com/@mehdirhasan Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/@mehdirhasan TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mehdirhasan FIND HASAN: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HasanMinhaj Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hasanminhaj/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hasanminhaj CREDITS: Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan Guest Host: Hasan Minhaj Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi Senior Producer and Editor: Frank Cappello Music: Andy Clausen Design: Alicia Tatone Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali

Amanda Seales is a comedian and political commentator, while Francesca Fiorentini brings her wit and sharp analysis to the table as well. Together, they dissect the Democrats' recent electoral failures with biting humor. They highlight missteps in Kamala Harris’s campaign and discuss how Trump’s outreach to diverse voters challenges conventional narratives. The conversation also touches on the perils of individualism and the rise of vigilante justice, all while poking fun at bizarre political developments, including RFK Jr. and milk!

In this engaging discussion, Nick Offerman, acclaimed actor from 'Parks and Rec,' brings his comedic insights to the political climate as the 2024 election looms. He humorously critiques the alarming Trump-Musk alliance and the overpowering influence of corporate money in media. Highlighting his role as a fictional president in the film ‘Civil War,’ Offerman reflects on the lessons to be learned from past conflicts. The conversation also touches on Kamala Harris's campaign, focusing on her handling of sensitive issues like Gaza and U.S. arms sales.

Bassem Youssef, an internationally acclaimed comedian known for his satirical take on politics, engages in a deep conversation about hope and despair in a tumultuous world. He shares his personal struggle with recent events in the Gaza conflict, emphasizing the challenges of staying hopeful amidst global crises. Bassem and Mehdi discuss the psychological impact of atrocities, the complexities of media narratives, and the interplay between comedy and activism. Tune in for a blend of humor and heartfelt dialogue on pressing social issues.

Comedians Matt Lieb, a Jewish-American known for his pointed humor, and Sammy Obeid, a Palestinian-American celebrated for his witty take on politics, share poignant insights on the one-year anniversary of the October 7 attack. They explore personal reflections on identity amid conflict, the role of humor in highlighting political absurdities, and the complexities of misinformation. Their candid discussion tackles U.S.-Israel relations and the frustrations within the Democratic party, weaving comedy and critical commentary to engage listeners in an essential dialogue.

Nish Kumar, a comedian and host known for his sharp wit and love of Nando's, joins for a lively chat that mixes humor with serious themes. They explore how Nando's unites a divided Britain and dive into societal issues like rising racial tensions and Islamophobia. Nish shares personal anecdotes about cultural identity and family ties through food, including biryani discussions. They also critique political responses to societal injustices while highlighting the therapeutic power of comedy amidst turmoil, including the challenges in the Middle East.