Former MS NOW host Mehdi Hasan is calling on Democrats to toughen up, and he isn’t being subtle about it.
During a recent appearance on Zeteo’s “Ask the Editor,” Hasan said the 2028 Democratic nominee should run on a bold platform of accountability, including the prosecution of high-profile figures like Elon Musk.
“The next Democratic president should run on a plan to prosecute Elon Musk,” Hasan said.
“They would easily go to the top of the pack. They would immediately go to the top of the polls in the Democratic race.”
Calling for a New Era of Accountability
Hasan argued that the next Democratic presidential hopeful must break from the party’s pattern of “looking forward, not back.”
He specifically criticized President Barack Obama’s post-2008 approach, saying, “It cannot be another 2009 in 2029. Twenty years after Barack Obama came to office and said, ‘Oh, we tortured some folks, but it’s time to look forward, not back.'”
“Obama prosecuted no one. No major banker for the bank frauds. No Bush politician for the torture at Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo Bay,” he added. “You can’t do that again in 2029.”
According to Hasan, this failure to act emboldened political and corporate elites, including tech billionaires like Musk.
He accused Musk of fueling division and misinformation through X, and said his actions should not go unchecked.
“That is all engineered by people like Elon Musk. The algorithm does that,” Hasan said, referring to the rise in hate speech and viral disinformation targeting communities such as Somalis in Minnesota.
Musk Responds: “In Their Eyes, Enabling Freedom Of Speech Is High Crime”
After a clip of Hasan’s comments went viral, Musk responded on X, writing, “In their eyes, enabling freedom of speech is high crime.”
Hasan acknowledged that his proposal would be seen as politicizing the justice system, but said that ship has already sailed.
“Republicans have no grounds to bring that up. And any Democrat who brings it up- they’re living in the wrong world, right? There has to be accountability.”
Trump’s Venezuela Strike Sparks Outrage
Hasan’s comments came during a week dominated by headlines about Donald Trump’s controversial military strike on Venezuela, which included the kidnapping of President Nicolás Maduro.
Hasan and Zeteo political correspondent Prem Thakker called the attack blatantly illegal.
“The United States has no authority to capture, detain, or arrest any foreign leader. This was a kidnapping. It was an abduction,” Hasan said.
Hasan also criticized both media and Democratic lawmakers for their weak responses, noting that many focused on process concerns rather than the legality or morality of the strike.
He said the episode is just the latest example of how unchecked power goes unchallenged.
“These things always backfire,” Hasan warned.
“Show me a U.S. regime change that’s gone well. Libya, Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, Honduras…”
Tying It All Together
In Hasan’s view, Musk, Trump, and other powerful actors operate with impunity because institutions fail to enforce consequences.
He believes the 2028 Democratic field must present candidates willing to hold them accountable.
“The Democratic president, if he or she wins in January 2029, has to come in with a day-one plan for accountability. Has to run on accountability. Has to pledge accountability. Has to put the fear of God into their Republican opponents,” Hasan said.
He added that figures like Steve Bannon have already admitted they expect to face prison time if Democrats win.
“That’s the thought they should have,” Hasan said.
Whether his proposal becomes a serious campaign plank or remains a viral soundbite, Hasan is making one thing clear: business as usual is no longer enough for the Democratic Party, especially in the face of what he sees as lawless behavior by the powerful.
“Reality has a bias,” Hasan said. “And the prosecutions we’re supporting are real.”
IMAGE CREDIT: “Elon Musk” by Gage Skidmore, via Flickr. Licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. Image adjusted for layout.