Michael Brooks Dead: Popular Host of ‘The Michael Brooks Show’ Dies Suddenly
Michael Brooks #MichaelBrooks
Michael Brooks, the popular host of The Michael Brooks Show, has died suddenly of a medical condition, his team announced. The Michael Brooks Show posted a statement on Twitter on July 20, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that we announce the unexpected passing of Michael Brooks: a son, brother, friend and true comrade to so many, due to a sudden medical condition.” No further details were provided about his cause of death.
Rest in power pic.twitter.com/3BSsjnqovJ
— TMBS – The Michael Brooks Show (@tmbsfm) July 20, 2020
The statement adds, “His family will release a statement in the near future about plans to keep his work alive by creating a foundation in his honor. While the form it will take is uncertain, Michael’s family desires to keep his work alive and asks all who wish to contribute continue doing so in the usual channels. Now we will honor Michael by treating all humans with respect and dignity.”
The Michael Brooks Show is a weekly web show and podcast hosted on the Majority Report Network by Disrupting the Narrative. It’s hosted by Michael Brooks and is described on its LinkedIn as a “history driven, politics and entertainment program.” Its Facebook page adds that it represents “the Vanguard of the New Left.” Brooks also described the show on his LinkedIn as “a smart, progressive, irreverent, and funny look at the politics of today.”
Brooks Was the Host of ‘The Michael Brooks Show’ in Addition to Co-Hosting ‘The Majority Report With Sam Seder’
In addition to hosting The Michael Brooks Show, Brooks was also a co-host of The Majority Report With Sam Seder, a position he held since 2013. The Majority Report is a daily political talk show; it lists Brooks as a contributor who has regularly appeared as an analyst on outlets such as SiriusXM, AlJazeera English, Huffpost Live and more. He has also written for the Jacobin, Al Monitor, Al Jazeera, the Washington Post and Open Democracy.
His LinkedIn also states that he was the co-host of 2 Dope Boys & a Podcast, which is a twice-weekly podcast highlighting trends and examining the latest in business, culture, technology and sports. The website for 2 Dope Boys & a Podcast states that Brooks “co-founded an arts and performance incubator in Western Massachusetts where he performed stand up and sketch comedy.”
Brooks obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science at Bates College in Maine and he studied European and Turkish security studies at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara, Turkey.
Former Brazilian President Lula da Silva Posted a Tribute to Brooks After His Death
This year I met this young American, a journalist, who turned out to be a friend, who I thought that we would meet again. How is it possible? My heart and prayers go to his family and friends. May his passion for social justice be remembered and inspire people around the world. https://t.co/OgGmzh5kMl
— Lula (@LulaOficial) July 20, 2020
Former Brazilian president Lula da Silva posted about Brooks’ death and expressed his shock at his sudden passing. In January 2020, Michael Brooks interviewed the former Brazilian president along with Brasil Wire editors Daniel Hunt and Brian Mier in São Paulo, Brazil. Da Silva was the 35th president of Brazil and served from January 2003 until December 2010.
According to Brooks’ team’s statement on his passing, da Silva was a personal hero of Brooks’ and his “causes & fight for freedom were dear to Michael’s heart.” The two-part interview is available here (part 1) and here (part 2).
Tributes Began Pouring In When News of His Death Was Shared Online
I just miss you @_michaelbrooks. I wish I could call you. I wish I could tell you how much you inspired me and contributed to my political growth. I wish I could still look forward to the laughs we often shared. I can’t explain the depth of the sorrow I feel today. pic.twitter.com/78dEhgv6Gw
— Ana Kasparian (@AnaKasparian) July 20, 2020
Many people took to social media to post tributes and share their shock at the popular host’s sudden passing. His team posted in their statement that Brooks “believed in bringing people together in the struggle for love & justice, fighting for all poor & working people, a struggle that he understood to be global… It is impossible to capture the impact he had and will be missed sorely.”
Political pundit and journalist Krystal Ball wrote, “a truly beautiful human” with a series of broken hearts. Writer and commentator Christo Aivalis wrote, “Michael was incredibly kind to me and generous with his time for smaller creators. Most important was his commitment to socialism on a global scale; he was indispensable even among already essential left thinkers. I’m gutted. Absolutely gutted.”
My head is spinning. @_michaelbrooks carried intelligence, compassion, humor, & an energy that couldn’t be duplicated. He did it with ease. I can’t imagine what his family is going through, considering how hard we, his professional family, have been hit by this.Rest Easy Brother https://t.co/JeLcr9Ia8v
— Jayar Jackson (@JayarJackson) July 20, 2020
One Twitter user wrote, “I’m gutted by this news. Michael was literally my favourite commentator. I’ve learned so much from him. His focus on Africa and Latin America was so refreshing. There is going to be a huge void in the discourse from now on. RIP Michael Brooks.”
The Young Turks host and political pundit John Iadarola wrote, “Shocked at the tragic news about Michael Brooks. He was such a thoughtful, kind, and caring voice who lived his values and used his platform to push for a better world. And he truly did care and think about the entire world, in a way much of our insular media rarely does.”
I am heartbroken about the news of @_michaelbrooks passing. He was such a genuine person, driven into politics to do good for people and tell the truth – two things in such short supply in our politics. I can’t believe it frankly. Sending love to all who loved and admired him.
— Lindsey Boylan (@LindseyBoylan) July 20, 2020
Investigative journalist Abby Martin wrote, “Gutted to learn I lost my friend Michael Brooks today. He was not only an amazing journalist & passionate fighter for justice, he was funny, genuine & selfless. Please tell people how much they are loved & supported because you might not get another chance. My heart hurts so much.”
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