MSNBC's Mehdi Hasan gets torched for mocking business owner saying there's a recession



MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan was lambasted on social media for mocking a local restaurant's owner for complaining about their economic struggles.

Hasan related a story about his supposed interaction while picking up food at a local restaurant.

"I went to pick up food from a local restaurant yesterday," Hasan tweeted.

"Me: 'did you guys survive the pandemic craziness?' Owner: 'yeah we did but now we have this new craziness, the recession,'" He continued. "There is no recession. The US has been breaking records on growth and jobs. But y'know, vibes."

He added an emoji symbol of a man slapping his forehead for emphasis.

While Hasan was technically correct, as economists generally define a recession by GDP growth decreasing over two business quarters, his story was widely excoriated as tone-deaf.

"You're making it solely about the distinction of whether or not we are in a recession. We had an average of 1,000 small businesses close per day throughout the pandemic. Maybe listen to small biz owners instead of nit picking them on macro economic terminology," replied reporter Alex Rubinstein.

"Yeah we should listen to a lunatic cable news host instead of a small business owner when it comes to the economy," responded another critic.

"GDP was negative last quarter. If next month's report shows it was negative in the 2nd quarter as well, that's the literal definition of a recession. To say nothing of what a 41-year high in inflation and $5/gal gas is doing to the working class. Try to not be a total a**hole," read another popular tweet.

Hasan later deleted the thread but doubled down on his point.

"Ok I give up. Having been dunked on all weekend for using a badly-told personal anecdote to try & make a point about how widespread misinformation about the economy is right now, which made me come across to some as out-of-touch & insensitive, I deleted the tweet thread. My bad," he tweeted on Saturday.

\u201cOk I give up. Having been dunked on all weekend for using a badly-told personal anecdote to try & make a point about how widespread misinformation about the economy is right now, which made me come across to some as out-of-touch & insensitive, I deleted the tweet thread. My bad.\u201d
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1655013227

"I do think we should be able to point out that there isn’t a recession," he added in a second tweet, "that inflation doesn’t equal a recession, & that the US economy is performing well on jobs and growth, without being accused of being Marie Antoinette, but still, that’s on me as a communicator to do better."

Fears of a possible recession increased dramatically on Monday when the stock market continued to crash and entered formally into a "bear market" situation.

Here's more about the growing recession fears:

Recession is 'right around the corner': Trump economic adviserwww.youtube.com

Mehdi Hasan says if Dems face a drubbing during the midterm elections, it will largely be Manchin and Sinema's fault



Mehdi Hasan, host of "The Mehdi Hasan Show" on Peacock and MSNBC, said that if Democrats endure a drubbing during the upcoming midterm elections, the party's poor performance will largely be the fault of Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

"If (when?) the Dems get hammered in November in the midterms, the number 1 reason will not be the left, or the economy, or Joe Biden, or Joe Biden’s chief of staff, or mask mandates. It’ll be two Democratic senators called Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema. We all know this," Hasan tweeted on Thursday.

On Friday, he followed up with another tweet: "Lots of conservatives angry at this tweet on Joe Manchin’s behalf. This isn’t about left or right, normal people don’t vote like that. It’s about delivery. Democrats haven’t delivered on bulk of their agenda not because of progressives but because of… Manchin and Sinema."

Lots of conservatives angry at this tweet on Joe Manchin\u2019s behalf. This isn\u2019t about left or right, normal people don\u2019t vote like that. It\u2019s about delivery. Democrats haven\u2019t delivered on bulk of their agenda not because of progressives but because of\u2026 Manchin and Sinema.
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1645199671

Manchin and Sinema, who both support the Senate filibuster, refused to back a plan to change the rules to enable Democrats to ram so-called "voting rights" legislation through the chamber last month.

The two also proved to be an obstacle as the Biden administration and Democrats sought to push a massive spending proposal last year. Manchin said in December that he would not vote to pass the spending plan.

Democrats could face an uphill battle during the midterm election cycle. Americans have been facing rapidly rising prices, and President Biden remains underwater on his job approval numbers.

Responding to Hasan's claim that Manchin and Sinema will be to blame if Democrats do poorly during the midterms, Erick Erickson said that if that were the case, progressives would win elections, not Republicans.

"By this logic, more progressive candidates would be getting elected, not Republicans. But it will not work that way. Which means this guy has no freaking clue what he was talking about," Erickson tweeted.

By this logic, more progressive candidates would be getting elected, not Republicans. But it will not work that way. Which means this guy has no freaking clue what he was talking about.https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1494500094472863747\u00a0\u2026
— Erick Erickson (@Erick Erickson) 1645193355

Jim Acosta, leftist faithful attack Bari Weiss — a liberal and former NYT opinion editor — after she declared herself 'done' with COVID-19



Without former President Donald Trump to browbeat long after his question time had ended, CNN's Jim Acosta has needed new targets over this last year with Democrat Joe Biden now sitting in the Oval Office.

Shifting away from White House coverage, Acosta has tried to keep the dream alive with a Sunday show during which he can go after the likes of Fox News' Tucker Carlson and Republican lawmakers and utter naughty words.

But this weekend Acosta dug his claws into new prey: None other than Bari Weiss — a liberal and former opinion editor of the New York Times.

Say what?

Weiss appeared on the latest episode of HBO’s "Real Time with Bill Maher" Friday and said she's "done" with COVID-19 after two years of "ridiculous" masks, mandates, and lockdowns.

She also threw shade at the promise that the vaccines would get us "back to normal" and then observed that "we haven't gotten back to normal."

"I know that so many of my liberal and progressive friends are with me on this, and they do not want to say it out loud because they are scared to be called ‘anti-vax' or to be called 'science deniers' or to be smeared as a Trumper," Weiss told Maher, soon adding that the younger generation will remember our COVID response as a "catastrophic moral crime."

The most impressive thing about Bari Weiss on last night\u2019s Bill Maher is the wild applause after she finishes here. After two years the tides are turning, even for the left leaning people in this country when it comes to covid. Watch this:pic.twitter.com/8DIH3zTibM
— Clay Travis (@Clay Travis) 1642855286

Acosta didn't like that very much

During his Sunday show Acosta ripped Weiss for her remarks.

"I’m done with that attitude, honestly," he said. "She needs to understand that trolling people to own the libs is not a sacrifice."

Acosta at the time was interviewing CNN medical analyst Dr. Jonathan Reiner, Fox News said, and the good doctor was equally as dismissive, saying Weiss was acting "like a child" and that she needs to "grow up."

'Grow up': Doctor responds to journalist's Covid restriction commentsyoutu.be

But that ain't all

Fox News added that MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan blasted Weiss for "moaning" about the pandemic during his "60 Second Rant" segment Sunday.

"Oh, it’s ridiculous, is it?" he countered as if speaking to Weiss, the cable network said. "People who should be complaining right now are our overworked and burned-out healthcare workers. But no. It’s never them moaning or whining about the pandemic."

"My young children have handled this pandemic more maturely and less childishly than the likes of Bari Weiss who, I’m sorry, can’t go to as many indoor parties as she’d like to," he added, according to Fox News.

More than three and a half thousand people died from Covid in America on Friday. A higher death toll than on 9/11. And yet on Friday night Bari Weiss was telling Bill Maher that the pandemic should be considered over. Sheesh.
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1642894195

And Jennifer Rubin — who bills herself on Twitter as a "NeverTrump, pro-democracy opinion writer" at the Washington Post — said of Weiss, "Talk about utterly losing your moral compass."

'Devastating for the planet': White House, liberals meltdown after Joe Manchin officially kills Biden's social spending agenda



Democrats expressed outrage Sunday after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) announced that he would not support President Joe Biden's "Build Back Better" plan.

Manchin revealed on "Fox News Sunday" that he would not only not support the Build Back Better Act, but he would not continue negotiations on the bill moving forward, essentially killing the bill for good.

What did the White House say?

White House press secretary Jen Psaki released a lengthy statement Sunday — more than 700 words in total — alleging Manchin just days ago was pledging to compromise. However, the writing has been on the wall for months that Manchin would not support the bill despite his efforts to work with Biden.

Still, Psaki said the White House will continue to pressure Manchin to force him into compliance with Biden's agenda.

"Just as Senator Manchin reversed his position on Build Back Better this morning, we will continue to press him to see if he will reverse his position yet again, to honor his prior commitments and be true to his word," she said.

The statement also disputed much of Manchin's criticism, and continued to parrot the Biden administration's trite fiscal narrative about the Build Back Better Act.

"Senator Manchin cited deficit concerns in his statement. But the plan is fully paid for, is the most fiscally responsible major bill that Congress has considered in years, and reduces the deficit in the long run," the statement claimed.

What did others say?

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) reacted to Manchin's decision on CNN's "State of the Union," where he accused Manchin of not having "guts." It should be noted, however, that Manchin has stuck to his position, and did not waiver under pressure from Democrats.

"I hope that we will bring a strong bill to the floor of the Senate as soon as we can and let Mr. Manchin explain to the people of West Virginia why he doesn’t have the guts to stand up to powerful special interests," Sanders said.

If Joe Manchin does not have the guts to stand up to the powerful special interests, he's going to have to explain that to the people of West Virginia who are hurting and hurting badly.pic.twitter.com/U5OeNlk6ea
— Bernie Sanders (@Bernie Sanders) 1639930765

Sam Stein, an editor at Politico, complained that Manchin's decision is "devastating for the planet."

"A lot to process on the Manchin news but, from a substantive standpoint, it's just objectively devastating for the planet. The last best chance at climate change legislation is gone," Stein reacted.

A lot to process on the Manchin news but, from a substantive standpoint, it's just objectively devastating for the planet. The last best chance at climate change legislation is gone
— Sam Stein (@Sam Stein) 1639924586

Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) used expletives to denounce Manchin's decision.

"Let’s be clear: Manchin’s excuse is bulls***," she said. "The people of West Virginia would directly benefit from childcare, pre-Medicare expansion, and long term care, just like Minnesotans."

Liberal political commentator Ben Rhodes, who worked in the Obama administration, also complained how Manchin's decision derails Biden's climate change agenda.

"If Manchin is serious, America may have just lost its last chance to make big investments in the fight against climate change," Rhodes said.

Mehdi Hasan, a host at MSNBC, suggested Manchin's decision is a victory for "dark money." Manchin's opponents love to accuse him of being beholden to special interest groups, but rarely offer evidence to support their claims.

"Don’t forget: this isn’t just about Joe Manchin. It’s about the dark money and billionaires and coal interests behind him, which keep winning at ours and the planet’s expense. Manchin is a living breathing reminder that America is often more oligarchic than it is democratic," Hasan said.

Don\u2019t forget: this isn\u2019t just about Joe Manchin. It\u2019s about the dark money and billionaires and coal interests behind him, which keep winning at ours and the planet\u2019s expense. Manchin is a living breathing reminder that America is often more oligarchic than it is democratic.
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1639926257

Filmmaker and actor Rob Reiner complained that Manchin may even "deny U.S." democracy."

"I don’t remember marking my presidential ballot for Joe Manchin. He’s single handedly denying Americans Evironmental (sic) Protection, Pre-K, Child Care, Affordable Prescription Drugs. If he kills Voting Rights, he will deny US Democracy," Reiner said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) indicated she was not surprised by Manchin's decision, but said, "Our entire democracy is on the line. So we need to get back in there & get this sh*t done. Period."

MSNBC host takes a dig at Bob Dole just hours after the late senator's death — and gets taken to the woodshed



MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan took a dig at former Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) just hours after Dole passed away on Sunday morning at the age of 98.

Dole — a decorated World War II veteran as well as former Republican presidential candidate and Senate majority leader — was diagnosed with Stage 4 lung cancer in February.

At the time, he said, "While I certainly have some hurdles ahead, I also know that I join millions of Americans who face significant health challenges of their own."

What are the details?

Hasan on Sunday criticized the New York Times' reporting on Dole's death, which highlighted his selfless and brave military and public service.

He shared the Times' tweet about Dole's death, which said, "Breaking News: Bob Dole is dead at 98. He overcame grievous war wounds to become Senate majority leader, spending decades on the national stage."

Hasan captioned the tweet with a dig of his own, "Bob Dole, who endorsed and voted for Trump twice, and called himself a 'Trumper' as recently as July, has passed away."

Bob Dole, who endorsed and voted for Trump twice, and called himself a 'Trumper' as recently as July, has passed away.https://twitter.com/nytimes/status/1467538241918230531\u00a0\u2026
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1638727111

What was the response?

Former Democratic congressional candidate Christopher Hale wrote, "Bob Dole fought and was paralyzed in World War II so television pundits could trash him freely after his recently deceased body was still warm."

Bob Dole fought and was paralyzed in World War II so television pundits could trash him freely after his recently deceased body was still warm.https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Christopher Hale (@Christopher Hale) 1638732237

Radio host Tony Katz added, "He was also a hero who served his country proudly in WWII. But what does that matter, right?

He was also a hero who served his country proudly in WWII. But what does that matter, right?https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Tony Katz (@Tony Katz) 1638735738

Steven Brookstein, vocalist and former "X-Factor" winner, chimed in, "Mehdi Hasan. Zero class."

Mehdi Hasan. Zero class.https://twitter.com/mehdirhasan/status/1467553988409237515\u00a0\u2026
— Steve Brookstein (@Steve Brookstein) 1638736765

Podcaster and columnist Derek Hunter added, "Bob Dole contributed more [to] the cause of freedom, to this country, and the world than @mehdirhasan, of any of the goon squad over at MSNBC could ever hope to in 50 lifetimes."

Bob Dole contributed more the cause of freedom, to this country, and the world than @mehdirhasan, of any of the goon squad over at MSNBC could ever hope to in 50 lifetimes.pic.twitter.com/QePesu06kK
— Derek Hunter (@Derek Hunter) 1638734594

Hasan later seemed to complain about the hate he was receiving for his remarks, and in a follow-up tweet, he wrote, "Trump supporters & rightwingers seem to think it is somehow a disrespectful attack by me on the late Bob Dole to point out he was a Trump supporter. That's kind of a revealing self-own. Btw here's their hero Trump after another Republican war veteran died."

His tweet accompanied a New York Times report titled "Trump Renews Attacks on John McCain, Months After Senator's Death."

Trump supporters & rightwingers seem to think it is somehow a disrespectful attack by me on the late Bob Dole to point out he was a Trump supporter. That\u2019s kind of a revealing self own.\nBtw here\u2019s their hero Trump after another Republican war veteran died:https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/17/us/politics/trump-mccain-twitter.amp.html?referringSource=articleShare\u00a0\u2026
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1638733400

'A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation'

In a statement on his passing, Dole's family said, "Senator Robert Joseph Dole died early this morning in his sleep. At his death, at age 98, he had served the United States of America faithfully for 79 years."

On Dole's passing, President Joe Biden said, "Bob was an American statesman like few in our history. A war hero and among the greatest of the Greatest Generation. And to me, he was also a friend whom I could look to for trusted guidance, or a humorous line at just the right moment to settle frayed nerves."

What has Hasan said in the past?

Hasan in 2019 came under fire for comparing non-Muslim people to animals, which eventually prompted an apology.

Hasan, 42, said that in his twenties, he said things that he ended up regretting.

In his 2019 apology, Hasan said, "Like a lot of journos (humans?) I’ve said things years ago that I now deeply regret. Chief among them for me is, more than a decade ago, in my 20s, when I wasn’t a public figure, I gave a bunch of speeches to students on Islam/extremism. And I said dumb offensive ranty stuff."

“Speaking without notes, & trying to be bombastic, I made stupid sweeping remarks about non-Muslims, especially atheists," he qualified. "I cringe now when I rehear/reread those remarks. I made stupid offensive analogies to animals. Argh. I’m embarrassed to have to write about all this again. But I don’t want to defend/explain today. I just want to say, I’m sorry.”

The offending remarks included comparing non-Muslims and atheists to "cattle" and more.

In resurfaced recordings, Hasan was captured delivering what appeared to be a sermon on Islamic law in which he said, "All of these ulama unanimously agree that at the very minimum if Yazid was not a Kaffir — then at the very minimum he was a fasiq, a transgressor, a breaker of Islamic laws, a corrupt individual, a tyrant, a killer a drunkard, a dog lover, a music lover, a homosexual, a pedophile, a sexual deviant, someone who slept with his own mother."

“In this respect the Koran describes the atheist as cattle," he added. "As cattle of those who grow the crops and do not stop and wonder about this world."

Biden advisor snaps at MSNBC host challenging him on 'inefficient, overpriced' healthcare funding in relief bill



A top advisor of the Biden administration snapped at an MSNBC host who challenged him on an "inefficient, overpriced" healthcare provision in the stimulus bill passed by Democrats.

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan pressed Cedric Richmond on why the bill provided $35 billion to support COBRA health care benefits for 2 million unemployed people instead of simply paying for a universal healthcare system.

"How is that a good use of that money?" asked Hasan. "$35 billion subsidizing insurance companies for six months, wouldn't that money be better invested towards building universal healthcare in this country?"

"Well clearly you have health insurance right now!" Richmond snapped.

"You ought to pose that to people who have lost their job through no fault of their own, that has lost their health insurance and they need a bridge, so that they stay with insurance," Richmond fired back at Hasan.

On the @MehdiHasanShow, senior White House official Cedric Richmond and I had a rather lively and robust exchange o… https://t.co/b14dP0D2xU
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan)1616544522.0

"It's very easy for people to make judgment calls when they're not in other people's shoes, and I won't do that. I won't put a price on lives," Richmond added.

Hasan tried to interrupt Richmond but he shouted him down and continued on to explained that the COBRA funds would help those who lost their jobs and employer-provided healthcare because of the pandemic lockdowns.

"Did we rise to the moment? Yes!" Richmond continued. "Did we spend $1.9 trillion? We did, you know why? Because there was $1.9 trillion worth of problems in this country that we were trying to fix!"

Hasan then accused the Biden administration of orchestrating a payment of billions of dollars to insurance companies instead of helping people directly. He also made Richmond answer to criticism of his appointment by far left and progressive groups.

Here's the whole exchange between Hasan and Richmond:

How the Biden Admin. is Giving More Time to Sign up for Obamacare | The Mehdi Hasan Showwww.youtube.com

Greta Thunberg can't name single policy when confronted after saying Biden is not aggressive enough on climate



Teenage climate activist Greta Thunberg claimed Sunday that President Joe Biden's climate policies are not aggressive enough to combat the challenges of climate change.

But when pressed to name a specific policy for Biden to enact, Thunberg was unable to name a single one.

What did Thunberg say?

Speaking with MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, Thunberg, 18, said that Biden's climate policies thus far are "not nearly enough in line with the science."

"That's not me saying that, that's just black and white, looking at the facts," Thunberg claimed.

When pressed on what specific policies Biden should enact to align his administration with science, Thunberg only said that Biden should "treat the climate crisis like a crisis" instead of engaging the climate like a "political topic among other topics."

But Hasan pressed further.

"Is there a specific policy, or if he rang you up and said, 'Greta, what should I do? I can wave a presidential magic wand executively. What should I do that I'm not?' What would you say to him?" Hasan asked.

Thunberg again did not offer a specific policy.

"Well, nothing, because that's not democratic. I mean, an elected leader cannot do anything without support from voters, and I would not want anyone to do anything that would not have the support because that would be undemocratic, and democracy is the most precious thing that we have and we must not risk that," she said. "So, what we need now is to raise awareness and create public opinion to treat the crisis like a crisis."

“I would just like [Biden] to treat the climate crisis like a crisis,” @GretaThunberg tells me on the… https://t.co/xlwT752Gmc
— Mehdi Hasan (@Mehdi Hasan) 1615172162.0

Thunberg endorsed Biden for president last year.

What has Biden done?

Contrary to what Thunberg believes, Biden has taken significant steps to advance the progressive climate agenda.

Not only did Biden cancel the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, but Biden signed an executive order on his first full day in office suspending "new oil and gas leasing and drilling permits for U.S. lands and waters," the Associated Press reported. Biden's order also applied to coal leases and permits.

Meanwhile, just hours after being inaugurated president, Biden rejoined the Paris climate agreement.

Biden also has established a new Cabinet-level position in his administration, appointing John Kerry to be the first ever White House climate czar.

Indeed, one of Biden's key campaign promises included rolling back Trump-era climate policies to focus on "environmental justice."

"The Biden plan will make a historic investment in our clean energy future and environmental justice, paid for by rolling back the Trump tax incentives that enrich corporations at the expense of American jobs and the environment," Biden's campaign website reads.