Hasan Minhaj criticised after revealing most of his stand-up stories are untrue
A New Yorker piece has gained a lot of attention after revealing that American comedian Hasan Minhaj made-up a lot of the stories at the centre of his comedy, and fans are outraged. Minjah, an Asian American and Muslim American, based a lot of his comedy around those experiences, and his Netflix series Patriot Act won an Emmy. Speaking to writer Clare Malone, Minjah told her "every story in my style is built around a seed of truth". In a Patriot Act segment Minhaj tells the disturbing story of a letter sent to him filled with a white powder that spilled onto his young daughter, who was subsequently rushed to hospital. It turned out not to be anthrax, but served as a reminder of the consequences of Minhaj's comedy. But Malone did some digging and found at there is no record of such an incident. Not from the NYPD, local hospitals, or front-desk and mailroom employees at Minaj's former residence. During her conversation with Minhaj, he admitted that "his daughter had never been exposed to a white power, and that she hadn't been hospitalised". He told Malone that he didn't think he was manipulating his audience when she asked, "It's grounded in truth," he said. Another well known story of Minhaj is from his 2017 Netflix special Homecoming King, where he talks of a white girl he had a crush on, kissed, and invited to prom, only to show up the night of the dance to the girl going to prom with another guy. Onstage, Minhaj said that the girl's parents didn't want their daughter to take pictures with a brown boy because they were concerned what relatives may think. "I didn't know that people could be bigoted even as they were smiling at you," Minhaj says during the show. But the woman in the story disputes it, saying that she had turned down Minhaj, then a close friend, days before prom. Minhaj admitted this was correct, but said he had a different understanding go her rejection and there was an "emotional truth" to the story. The woman also shared that she had faced online threats and doxing for years after Minhaj failed to successfully disguise her identity. According to some former Patriot Act employees, members of the research team felt he could be dismissive of the fact-checking process. Malone reported that, "in one instance, Minhaj grew frustrated that fact-checking was stymying the creative flow during a final rewrite, and a pic of female researchers were asked to leave the writers' room." In a written statement, Minhaj insisted that "fact-checking at Patriot Act was extremely rigorous". When fans and viewers of Minhaj's content read Malone's piece, they were shocked and appalled. Some called his ego "terrifying", whilst others said it is "not okay to make up instances of threat over journalism". Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-09-16 23:53
'Faker' in line for military exemption after Asian Games gold
South Korean eSports star Lee "Faker" Sang-hyeok is in line for a controversial exemption from military service after his team won gaming gold at...
2023-09-29 20:47
Arizona QB Kyler Murray activated from PUP list, says he's returning to practice
Quarterback Kyler Murray said he’s returning to the practice field on Wednesday for the Arizona Cardinals as he works to come back from a torn ACL in his right knee that he suffered last season
2023-10-19 01:38
US home heating bills seen flat to lower this winter -EIA
Most U.S. consumers will spend about the same or less than they did last year to heat their
2023-10-12 04:29
Addison Rae turns heads in semi-sheer dress at 'Thanksgiving' premiere red carpet, Internet calls her 'stunning'
Addison Rae recently showcased her impeccable sense of style on the red carpet at the star-studded premiere of 'Thanksgiving' in Los Angeles
2023-11-16 18:24
Country Garden Pays Dollar Bond Interest Within Grace Period
Chinese developer Country Garden Holdings Co. told creditors that it’s paid coupons of two dollar bonds within grace
2023-09-05 11:43
Challenges to Afghan special visa program remain two years after US withdrawal, State Dept. watchdog finds
Numerous challenges to the Afghan Special Immigrant Visa program remain two years after the chaotic and deadly US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the State Department's watchdog agency said in a new report released Thursday.
2023-09-01 20:30
Angels unlikely to trade Shohei Ohtani if they stay in contention, GM says
The Los Angeles Angels are highly unlikely to trade Shohei Ohtani if they remain in playoff contention this summer
2023-06-21 09:33
How Kim's meeting with Putin at Russian spaceport may hint at his space and weapons ambitions
Ending a global guessing game on when and where they would meet, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin convened at a rocket launch facility in Siberia
2023-09-13 16:08
Why Chip Makers Favor Arizona
Readers weigh in on semiconductor manufacturing in Arizona, reasons to halt the issuance of Treasuries, hedging with oil funds, and the case for Canadian auto-parts maker Linama
2023-10-21 03:08
'Important that the world hears': Arnold Schwarzenegger reacts to Israeli teen Ella Shani's ordeal after escaping Hamas attack
'I always want to be there for the Jewish people, and for Israel,' said Arnold Schwarzenegger
2023-12-03 01:18
Watches of Switzerland Plunges After Rolex Buys Rival Retailer
Shares of Watches of Switzerland Group Plc fell as much as 25% on concerns the biggest retailer of
2023-08-25 15:35
You Might Like...
Deion Sanders, fellow FSU alum get in Twitter spat just days before Prime’s Colorado debut
'I was ready to slow down!' Belinda Carlisle talks music comeback
'Every pound counts' -- Logan marches on Paris for courageous Weir's cause
Casa Grande realtor Nino DiGuilio finds kidney donor years after truck decal plea amid dialysis struggles
'He did a great job': 'AGT' fans root for show's first mute stand-up comedian Ahren Belisle to win Season 18
3M agrees to pay $6 billion after US military said its earplugs caused hearing loss
Signa Prime Pursues Investors to Bridge €2 Billion Fund Gap
No. 8 Washington looks to keep rolling on offense hosting Tulsa
