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When it comes to 'We're Not Kidding' guests, Mehdi has sat down with multiple, multi-talented, multi-hyphenates — but none have been as multi as today's guest. Nina Kharoufeh is a Palestinian-American, a hijab-wearing Muslim, a standup comedian, an amateur boxer, and a children's book author. But if you ask Nina, she'd likely say her most important role is being an outspoken defender of Palestine. She joined Mehdi in DC to talk about her eclectic career journey and the backlash she's received for criticizing Israel since Oct. 7.
Nina is also the author of the children's book 'I'm a Princess Too' about a young Muslim girl who gets cast as a princess in the school play but then is bullied by her peers for wearing a hijab. On top of all of that, Nina is also an amateur boxer who has competed in fights at Madison Square Garden. "If you could challenge anyone in the world to a fight, who would it be?" Mehdi asks. "Amy Schumer," Nina says.
The two also discuss:
Nina's time working at SiriusXM and (gulp!) FOX News.
Why it's always OK to "play the Muslim card."
DJ Khaled's silence on Israel's genocide in Gaza.
Getting caught going to a pro-Palestine rally by her mom when she was 12.
Whether George W. Bush was better than Donald Trump.
How Mehdi turned up in the Epstein files (it's not bad, we promise!)…
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Credits:
Hosted by: Mehdi Hasan
Guest Host: Nina Kharoufeh
Executive Producer: Kiran Alvi
Senior Producer: Frank Cappello
Editor: Liam Mann
Music: Andy Clausen
Design: Alicia Tatone
Mix Engineer: Valentino Rivera
Title Animation: Ehsaan Mesghali
Special thanks: Randa Jumean
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