Bassem Youssef criticizes President Biden and speaks out about loss of role in "Superman" movie over Palestine comments

Bassem Youssef, popularly known as the "Jon Stewart of the Middle East," has recently expressed his frustration with President Joe Biden and opened up about losing a role in the upcoming movie "Superman: Legacy" after speaking out about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine.

In an interview on "Salon Talks," Youssef discussed his current comedy tour, his viral exchange with Piers Morgan about Gaza, and the negative consequences he faced in the entertainment industry for his outspoken views on Palestinian humanity.

Youssef, who has been compared to Jon Stewart and has appeared on "The Daily Show" multiple times, believes that Stewart will always be relevant, even after his hiatus from the show. However, Youssef wonders if younger people, who rely more on social media for news, will embrace Stewart's return.

Passionate about the situation in Gaza, Youssef described it as the "worst genocide" occurring in real time, expressing frustration over the lack of global action. He also criticized President Biden, stating that he allowed the tragedy to unfold under his watch. Youssef made it clear that he is no longer a proponent of the "Vote Blue No Matter Who" mindset.

Speaking out about the actions of the Netanyahu administration in Gaza, Youssef revealed that he lost a role in the upcoming "Superman: Legacy" movie. While the official reason given was a script change, Youssef believes the timing coincided with others in Hollywood being fired for supporting Palestinian humanity. He sees this as a clear indication of the real reason behind losing the role.

Despite the intensity of his conversation about the Middle East, Youssef clarified that his live comedy show does not touch on Gaza. Instead, it revolves around his life experiences and the challenges of doing comedy in Egypt under a dictatorship.

Youssef's views on the United States' political landscape were also discussed during the interview. He expressed his disappointment with Donald Trump's refusal to attend the White House Correspondents dinner, seeing it as a worrisome sign of authoritarianism. Youssef questioned whether Jon Stewart's return to "The Daily Show" would be as impactful, given the shift in news consumption habits among younger generations.

The comedian also voiced his concern about the rise of authoritarianism, drawing from his own experiences living in Egypt and the parallels he sees with Trump's actions. He emphasized the importance of being able to criticize those in power, highlighting the significance of events like the White House Correspondents dinner.

Youssef's passion for speaking out on behalf of Palestinian humanity has not come without repercussions. He revealed that he lost a role in the "Superman" movie, and he believes it was due to his stance on the Palestinian issue. While disappointed, Youssef acknowledged the emotional connection many have with Israel and understood their reservations.

With his comedy tour selling out 3,000-seat theaters and his outspokenness on pressing issues, Youssef continues to use his platform to entertain and educate audiences. Despite facing challenges and controversy, he remains committed to shedding light on important topics through his unique brand of comedy.