# 'Ask the Editor': Mehdi Takes Your Questions! Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyOGSS7lEVo Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/YyOGSS7lEVo Generated: 2025-11-03T17:02:42.516+00:00 --- ## Quick Overview The discussion centers on the media's failure to hold Donald Trump accountable during his presidency, contrasting his behavior with that of Joe Biden, and Mehdi Hasan's argument that the right-wing media is hypocritical for criticizing Biden's actions while ignoring or praising similar actions by Trump, especially concerning the use of executive power and political attacks. **Key Points:** - Mehdi Hasan notes that Donald Trump is currently more unpopular than he was before January 21, 2021, despite acting with extreme impunity. - Hasan cites Trump's 73 minutes of lies over 77 minutes in a CBS interview and his previous claims about genocide in Nigeria as examples of his dishonesty. - The host points out the irony that Trump pardoned Roger Stone and now promotes figures like Kari Lake, while the media attacks Biden for similar actions. - The structure of the American political system, reliant on minority rule (Electoral College, Senate), allows presidents to govern without majority support, which is being exploited. - Hasan expresses concern over the Democratic party's failure to effectively counter Trump's narrative and the media's tendency toward false equivalence. - Zeteo is expanding its international presence, with a new UK branch and contributors in Canada, and encourages readers to support independent journalism financially. ![Screenshot at 00:12: Prem Thakker introduces the segment of 'Ask the Editor,' where Mehdi Hasan will take questions from friends, families, foes, and others regarding political commentary and accountability.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-00-12.png) **Context:** This segment of 'Ask the Editor' features host Prem Thakker interviewing Mehdi Hasan about recent political events, specifically focusing on the media's coverage of Donald Trump versus Joe Biden's administrations. The core topic revolves around accountability, political narratives, and the integrity of media coverage, particularly in light of Trump's continued influence and recent public statements. ## Detailed Analysis The discussion begins with Prem Thakker and Mehdi Hasan reviewing recent political media coverage, specifically focusing on Donald Trump's interview with CBS where he reportedly told 73 lies in 77 minutes. Hasan criticizes the media's perceived deference to Trump, contrasting it with the intense scrutiny faced by Joe Biden. Hasan recounts specific instances where Trump bragged about using executive power, such as invoking the Insurrection Act against protesters or threatening military action against Venezuela, all while maintaining high disapproval ratings (63% disapproval according to a CNN poll). The host notes that Trump is currently less popular than he was upon leaving office, yet he remains powerful, partly due to the structure of the US political system (Electoral College/Senate minority rule) that allows a president to govern without majority support. Hasan then highlights the media's failure to challenge Trump, citing an instance where an interviewer praised him, leading to the interviewer's perceived failure as a journalist. The conversation shifts to the hypocrisy of the right-wing media, which attacks Biden for actions similar to those Trump took (like pardoning Roger Stone), and the general state of media coverage, which often defaults to false equivalence or downplays concerning behavior from the right. Hasan mentions his own efforts via Zeteo to provide counter-narratives and encourages financial support for independent journalism to combat the prevailing media landscape. ### Critique of Media Accountability - Mehdi Hasan details instances of Trump's dishonesty (73 lies in 77 minutes) and executive overreach (threatening military action) that the media failed to challenge adequately - The media is criticized for failing to hold Trump accountable for actions like pardoning Roger Stone or promoting figures like Kari Lake. ### US Political System Flaws - The American system's structure, relying on minority rule via the Electoral College and Senate, enables presidents like Trump to govern effectively despite low approval ratings (63% disapproval cited) - This structure allows for actions like the attempted use of the Insurrection Act without broad public consent. ### Media and Political Hypocrisy - Hasan contrasts the treatment of Trump's actions with the scrutiny faced by the Biden administration, noting the media's unwillingness to challenge the right-wing narrative - He points out that conservative media outlets praise Trump's actions while attacking similar Democratic actions. ### The Role of Zeteo - Hasan advocates for independent journalism, citing Zeteo's efforts to provide factual counter-narratives and investigative reporting - He urges readers to subscribe to support their work, emphasizing the need for reliable information sources outside mainstream outlets. ### Future Political Landscape - Discussion touches on the potential for a future Trump-like candidate in 2024 and the need for Democrats to have a strong, unified response rather than falling into false equivalence. ![Screenshot at 0:05: Prem Thakker welcomes viewers to 'Ask the Editor' and introduces Mehdi Hasan to take questions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-00-05.png) ![Screenshot at 0:27: Mehdi Hasan begins discussing his analysis of Donald Trump's recent 60-minute interview on CBS, noting the high number of lies told.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-00-27.png) ![Screenshot at 0:53: Mehdi Hasan describes watching Trump interviews as 'painful' and details specific lies he counted in the recent CBS interview.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-00-53.png) ![Screenshot at 1:36: Hasan quantifies the lies he counted in the interview, stating there were around 17 lies in 73 minutes, or roughly one every four minutes.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-01-36.png) ![Screenshot at 2:28: Hasan questions why the media did not challenge Trump regarding his request for the DOJ to investigate his enemies \(James and Comey\).](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-02-28.png) ![Screenshot at 4:09: Hasan cites a new CNN poll showing Trump is the most unpopular he has ever been post-presidency, yet he seems more powerful.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-04-09.png) ![Screenshot at 5:54: Hasan notes that the Republican party does not seem worried about elections or public opinion, citing the example of the UK's political narrative.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-05-54.png) ![Screenshot at 6:35: Hasan critiques the Democratic party for engaging in self-flagellation instead of aggressively countering Trump's narrative.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-06-35.png) ![Screenshot at 9:48: Hasan notes the media's failure to challenge Trump on past issues like the 9/11 responders bill or the auto-pen pardons.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-09-48.png) ![Screenshot at 14:14: Hasan points out that Trump successfully sued CBS and won, while the media failed to hold him accountable for his actions.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-14-14.png) ![Screenshot at 18:18: Hasan mentions that he previously told Democrats not to follow Trump's path of using identity politics or appearing unhinged.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-18-18.png) ![Screenshot at 28:28: Hasan highlights the political orientation of media coverage, contrasting 'left' versus 'center' framing.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-28-28.png) ![Screenshot at 29:53: Hasan mentions the recent New York City mayoral election results as an example of the political landscape.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-29-53.png) ![Screenshot at 31:35: Hasan mentions Zeteo's expansion plans, including a UK branch and writers in Canada, emphasizing the need for reader financial support.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/YyOGSS7lEVo/00-31-35.png)