How Swindon-born Mehdi Hasan is making his name in US media after string of controversies: The ex-MSNBC Muslim anchor who appears as left-wing commentator has criticised Israel's war on Hamas and once called non-Muslims 'animals'
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Mehdi Hasan's appearance in a heated CNN election debate is a reminder of his growing status in America after becoming one of the few British broadcasters to 'make it' in the country. The Swindon-born 45-year-old made a name for himself in the UK for his fiery appearances on Question Time, and it appears his confrontational approach is going down well in the polarised US media landscape.
![[Hasan is a staple on left-leaning talk shows and is seen here appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/29/12/91414591-14014695-image-a-10_1730206625219.jpg)
After developing his reputation as a left-wing commentator, Hasan was handed his own show on MSNBC in 2021. While this was axed last year, he remains a staple of the so-called 'progressive' talk show circuit and writes a column for the Guardian. But his rise has not been without controversy, with Hasan - who is a Muslim - criticised for historic comments where he likened gay people to 'paedophiles' and non-Muslims to 'animals'.
![[Hasan pictured at a Labour Party conference in 2012. He is now a naturalised US citizen]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/29/12/91414585-14014695-image-a-11_1730206630102.jpg)
While he has since apologised for the hate-filled rants, he continues to attract controversy for his outspoken views on the Israel-Hamas war - which he has repeatedly described as a 'genocide'. Mehdi Hasan - seen last night on CNN - has established himself as a familiar figure in the left-wing US media landscape.
![[Hasan hosted his own show on MSNBC before it was cancelled]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/10/29/13/57321553-14014695-MSNBC_host_Mehdi_Hasan_on_Sunday_warned_about_Elon_Musk_s_promis-a-13_1730207146618.jpg)
Hasan is a staple on left-leaning talk shows and is seen here appearing on Late Night With Seth Meyers. Hasan last made headlines by clashing with right-wing commentator Ryan Girdusky on CNN last night - with Girdusky slammed for likening him to a Hezbollah terrorist.
