“I think you can say, ‘I’m a fascist'."
Mehdi Hasan has gone viral after facing off against 20 self-identified far-right conservatives on Jubilee’s popular YouTube series Surrounded.
The episode, centred on American democracy and constitutional values, has already surpassed five million views.
In the episode, Mehdi appears as the lone progressive voice.
The encounter started with Mehdi claiming Donald Trump is “defying the Constitution”.
A man named Connor was the first to challenge him, arguing that undermining the Constitution is “good”.
He added: “I think (Trump) should go further”, and states the Constitution “should seek to serve us”.
When the journalist asked whether Democrats should have the same power, Connor replied: “Absolutely not.”
He added that he supported “autocracy” before saying: “Anything in line with Catholic teaching.”
Mehdi Hasan pressed further, challenging Connor on statements that grow increasingly extreme.
At one point, Connor praised Nazi legal theorist Carl Schmitt. Hasan interrupted and asked:
“Are you a fan of the Nazis?”
Connor replied: “I frankly don’t care about being called a Nazi at all.”
When asked if he condemns Nazi persecution of Jews, he says:
“I think there was a little bit of persecution…”
A stunned Mehdi replied: “We may have to rename this show, because you’re a little bit more than a far-right Republican.”
Connor smirked: “What can I say?”
Mehdi said: “I think you can say, ‘I’m a fascist’.”
Connor confirmed: “Yeah, I am. I’m not ashamed of that.”
Some of the other participants applauded Connor’s comments.
Mehdi Hasan concluded: “The only good thing about this fascist moment we’re in is that you guys are so open about it.”
Another viral moment saw a participant telling Mehdi he’s “going to have to go”, meaning he wants Hasan, who is an immigrant, to leave the United States.
Another person said he felt his “entire race”, referring to white people, is facing a “genocide” in the United States.
In post-debate remarks to Jubilee staff, included at the end of the video, Mehdi said:
“I thought it would be an interesting exercise in trying to understand what genuine far-right conservative folks think.
“And it was kind of disturbing to see that they think what I thought they think and they were happy to say it out loud.”
The encounter was described by viewers as the “most insane Jubilee video yet”.
The show, known for placing ideological opposites in one room, has developed a cult following among Gen Z and millennial audiences.
But this episode stood out for the sheer extremity of views expressed.
On X, Mehdi later wrote:
“I did not know some of the participants would be actual outright open fascists.”
“Jubilee cast these folks, not me!”
He also said he enjoys debating, but added: “I try to avoid bad faith folks.”
Mehdi told Jubilee: “Free speech doesn’t mean you need to give credibility or oxygen or a platform to people who don’t agree in human equality.”
After the episode was released, Connor claimed he was fired from his job, blaming it on “the manner in which you’re cancelled” for expressing “heterosexual, Christian, moral beliefs”.
Cloud firm VeUP said the man’s role was not terminated by them directly, but by the core contractor.
Critics of Surrounded argue the show’s format contributes to polarisation and outrage-based content. Some describe it as “rage bait” designed for virality.
The Mehdi Hasan episode has drawn sharp criticism and praise alike, sparking renewed debate over whether platforms should host openly extremist viewpoints in the name of balance.
Watch the Full Episode
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