Mehdi Hasan, the British-American broadcaster and founder of Zeteo, continues to make waves in 2025 with his incisive journalism and bold commentary. From relaunching Al Jazeera’s Head to Head to growing his independent media venture, Hasan’s fearless approach to challenging power—especially on U.S. and U.K. policies in Gaza—has kept him at the forefront of progressive media, sparking both admiration and controversy.
Return to Al Jazeera’s Head to Head
In June 2024, Hasan announced his return to Al Jazeera English’s Head to Head, with new episodes airing through August and November 2025. Filmed in London, the show features Hasan’s signature tough interviews, starting with Israeli historian Benny Morris on July 8 and China insider Victor Gao on July 9. His confrontational style, honed over years at Al Jazeera, The Intercept, and MSNBC, promises to tackle pressing global issues like Middle East conflicts and rising authoritarianism. The relaunch reaffirms Hasan’s commitment to “challenging the resilience of universal standards,” as noted by Al Jazeera’s Salah Khadr.
Zeteo’s Rise and Independent Journalism
After leaving MSNBC in January 2024 following the cancellation of The Mehdi Hasan Show, Hasan launched Zeteo in April 2024, a Substack-based platform with 31,000 paid subscribers by July 2025. Hosting Mehdi Unfiltered and a weekly podcast, Zeteo emphasizes “unfiltered news” and voices sidelined by mainstream media. Hasan’s coverage of Gaza, calling it a “genocide” enabled by U.S. and U.K. policies, has drawn significant attention. A March 2024 Zeteo interview with South Africa’s Foreign Minister described Gaza as a “huge murder,” while his Guardian columns criticize U.S. support for Israel and Republican narratives on Trump’s 2024 election win. Posts on X reflect polarized sentiment, with supporters praising his truth-telling and critics, like @DC_Draino, accusing him of bias.
Controversy and MSNBC Exit
Hasan’s 2024 MSNBC departure, after his show averaged 411,000 viewers and 37,000 in the 25–54 demographic, sparked debate. Progressives, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, called the cancellation “deeply troubling” amid rising anti-Muslim sentiment, citing Hasan’s vocal Gaza coverage. The Washington Post noted low ratings, while the American Enterprise Institute suggested his refusal to call Hamas “terrorists” alienated viewers post-October 7, 2023. Hasan told Depth Perception he wasn’t given a clear reason for the cancellation, fueling speculation of political motives. He now leverages Zeteo to speak freely, avoiding corporate constraints.
A Polarizing Voice
Hasan’s July 2025 X posts, decrying U.S. and U.K. complicity in Gaza and debating Alan Dershowitz on Piers Morgan’s show, underscore his provocative style. His critique of India’s authoritarianism and past interviews with figures like Noam Chomsky and Edward Snowden highlight
Websites Sources:
- The Washington Post (www.washingtonpost.com) – Covered Hasan’s Zeteo launch and MSNBC exit.
- POLITICO (www.politico.com) – Detailed Hasan’s MSNBC departure and progressive backlash.
- NBC News (www.nbcnews.com) – Provided Hasan’s bio and Mehdi Hasan Show details.
- The Intercept (theintercept.com) – Covered Hasan’s past work and podcast Deconstructed.
- The Guardian US (www.theguardian.com) – Highlighted Hasan’s columns and Gaza commentary.
- American Enterprise Institute (www.aei.org) – Analyzed Hasan’s MSNBC cancellation and ratings.
- New York Magazine (nymag.com) – Explored Hasan’s MSNBC exit and Zeteo venture.
- AP News (apnews.com) – Reported Hasan’s decision to quit MSNBC.
- MSNBC (www.msnbc.com) – Covered Hasan’s show and interviews.
- Deadline (deadline.com) – Detailed Zeteo’s launch and mission.
- Depth Perception (depthperceptionbyll.substack.com) – Interviewed Hasan on his career and MSNBC exit.
