Muslim anchor quits after talk show cancelled over criticism of Israel

MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan bid farewell to the network's ‘The Mehdi Hasan Show’ on Sunday.

During the final broadcast of Sunday night's show, he announced that he was leaving the network, reigniting speculations about the reasons for his sudden departure.

Hasan’s talk show was canceled in November last year in, what was billed as, a network shakeup of weekend programming despite impressive ratings.

The move raised eyebrows after a report claimed that MSNBC had sidelined the Muslim anchor for his criticism of Israel's attack on Gaza.

After his weekly talk show was cancelled, Hasan decided initially to remain with the network as an on-camera analyst and fill-in host, but announced he was quitting on the final episode of his show.

He referred to the war and the current state of the world and America as he announced the decision. 

“As we begin 2024, with an election coming, a war still ongoing, and too many Trump trials honestly to even keep track of, and with this show going away, I’ve decided that it’s time for me to look for a new challenge,” Hasan said towards the end of the show.

“Tonight is not just my final episode of the Mehdi Hasan Show, it’s my last day with MSNBC. Yes, I’ve decided to leave.”

“To be clear: I’m so, so proud of what we’ve achieved on this show, on this network, and I can’t thank you all enough for tuning in and for your support and feedback,” he concluded. “But as I say, new year, new plans.”