Bassem Youssef to Arabs: Don’t Let Social Media Turn Us Against Each Other

In a recorded message at the Egypt Forum 2026 on Monday, 19 October, in the presence of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, the Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef warned that online arguments are damaging relationships between Arab communities. The message aligns with one of Egypt Forum’s core themes, which is countering misinformation and the spread of rumors. This is particularly relevant in light of Egypt’s recent launch of Chat EGYPT, an AI-powered platform designed to monitor and counter rumors. This marks Youssef’s first televised appearance in front of El-Sisi since his satirical show was discontinued in 2014 amid tensions over its political content and Egypt’s media climate. Following the show’s cancellation, Youssef relocated to the United States, where he continued to build his career in comedy and entertainment. Drawing on his own experiences, he explained how social media can turn ordinary disagreements into hostility, even between people who have never had a problem with one another. “Social media was one of the reasons behind my success and fame, but it also caused me a lot of problems,” he explained. He acknowledged that these platforms are useful to him and millions ofContinue reading "Bassem Youssef to Arabs: Don’t Let Social Media Turn Us Against Each Other" The post Bassem Youssef to Arabs: Don’t Let Social Media Turn Us Against Each Other first appeared on Egyptian Streets.