Egyptian-American comedian Bassem Youssef clarified on Tuesday that he was not banned from X and that he quit the platform over concerns for his “loved ones.”
On Monday, Yussef’s X account disappeared, prompting widespread speculations that the platform banned him for his criticism of Israel.
Youssef is known for his critical commentary on Israel’s actions in Gaza. The comedian, who boasts nearly 12 million followers on X, expressed frustration over the misuse of antisemitism accusations to silence discourse.
He clarified in a follow-up Instagram post that his account was not banned but that he would return if his safety issues were resolved.
His wife’s family in Gaza and his own past experiences of political persecution in Egypt further contribute to his safety concerns.
Despite leaving X, Youssef plans to continue sharing content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.
On Tuesday, Yussef’s X account disappeared, prompting widespread speculations that the platform banned him for his criticism of Israel.
His last post on the platform had criticized the use of antisemitism as a “fear tactic” to stifle conversations, urging his followers to vote on whether they still feared being labeled as antisemites by “Zionists.”
Youssef’s satirical news show, al-Bernameg, which drew comparisons to Jon Stewart’s The Daily Show, had a substantial impact and continues to influence his approach to social commentary.
Despite the disappearance of his X account, Youssef’s critiques, including a recent viral interview with Piers Morgan regarding Israel’s actions in Gaza, are widely popular.