On Sunday night, former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan sparked widespread outrage with a tweet that seemed to make light of plane crashes in the U.S. In the post, which was quickly deleted, Hasan wrote, “Make American Planes Crash Again.”
The tweet, which appeared just hours after a tragic crash at Covington Airport in Georgia and on the heels of several high-profile crashes, caught the attention of many social media users.
Reaction to Hasan’s Comment
The timing of Hasan’s tweet was particularly sensitive given the recent plane crashes that had left many dead, including the crash of an American Airlines-Black Hawk over Washington, D.C., and a Delta flight that crash-landed in Toronto.
Given the context of these events, as well as the traumatic memories of 9/11, many found his message to be distasteful.
As the outrage mounted, Hasan deleted the tweet and posted an explanation, claiming the message was meant to be “sarcastic.” He argued that the reaction was overly harsh and that conservatives were misinterpreting his words, claiming they were taking them out of context.
Defending His Actions: The Islamophobia Claim
In his defense, Hasan suggested that the backlash was not just about the tweet but also about the Islamophobia he believed he was being subjected to.
He explained that he felt unfairly vilified, suggesting his critics were exploiting the situation to target him because of his Muslim faith.
However, not everyone accepted Hasan’s explanation. Asra Nomani, a former Wall Street Journal reporter and a vocal critic of Hasan, spoke out against his actions.
In an interview with DailyMail.com, she accused him of intentionally trying to hurt the American public by referencing plane crashes in such a cavalier manner.
Nomani, who is also Muslim, argued that Hasan knew the power of his words and the specific audience he was addressing.
The Criticism of Hasan’s Response
Nomani went on to criticize Hasan for playing the victim and suggested that his apology was insincere.
“He knew exactly what he was doing when he called for plane crashes,” she said.
She also took aim at Hasan’s response, accusing him of using “Islamophobia” as a shield, as if to deflect legitimate criticism.
Nomani, who has written extensively about her experiences as a Muslim woman in America, contended that Hasan had cultivated a following by appealing to left-wing and Islamist communities, using identity politics as a way to protect himself from scrutiny.
Hasan’s Relationship with the U.S. Media
Nomani also noted that Hasan’s career in the U.S. media had been problematic.
She accused him of using his platform to promote divisive rhetoric, which she believed was part of a broader effort to undermine American values.
She suggested that his time on MSNBC gave him a significant stage to spread his views, which she argued were harmful to national unity.
Clash with Vice President JD Vance
Earlier this week, Hasan had also clashed with Vice President JD Vance over the White House’s stance on freedom of speech.
Hasan criticized the White House for what he saw as a hypocritical stance on curbing misinformation and hate speech, particularly in the context of European security leaders.
Vance, in turn, dismissed Hasan’s argument, calling him a “dummy” for questioning Trump’s handling of the press.
Conclusion: A Controversial Figure in the Spotlight
As the debate over Hasan’s comments continues, it’s clear that he remains a highly polarizing figure.
His tweet and the fallout from it have reignited discussions on freedom of speech, media responsibility, and the politics of identity.
Whether or not he will face further consequences for his remarks remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: his words have left a lasting impression.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!Share on Facebook «||» Share on Twitter «||» Share on Reddit «||» Share on LinkedIn