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CNN Bans Panelist Ryan Girdusky After 'Beeper' Comment

Monday night's conversation on CNN's “NewsNight with Abby Phillip” escalated when conservative panelist Ryan Girdusky criticized Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan with a comment that got him banned from the network.

During an exchange of controversial comments at Donald Trump's rally at Madison Square Garden, where panelists discussed people of different political leanings being called “Nazis” and “anti-Semites,” Hasan said he was “used to” the latter label , because of his “support for the Palestinians.” Hasan is the founder of Zeteo News.

Girdusky responded by telling Hasan, “Well, I hope your pager doesn't go off,” while the other panelists expressed shock and Hasan replied, “Did you just say I should die?”

Girdusky and Hasan then went back and forth, with the conservative panelist eventually apologizing and saying he thought the Zeteo News founder said “Hamas.”

Phillip told Girdusky his comment was “out of his own pocket.” After the show went to a commercial break, the host addressed the exchange and apologized to Hasan “for what was said at that table,” calling the comments “completely unacceptable.”

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“We want people who have different opinions to talk to each other. But if you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that’s not going to happen here on this show,” she said. “It's a heated time. We are in the middle of a political season. We are eight days away from a presidential election, but we can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest discourse of the lowest kind.”

She shared a statement from CNN later on Monday evening on her X account, which was also shared with USA TODAY on Tuesday.

“There is no room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our show,” the statement said. “Our aim is to promote thoughtful conversations and debates, even between people who have deeply different opinions, to discuss important issues and promote mutual understanding. But we will not allow guests to be demeaned or to cross the line of politeness. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcome on our network.”

She also shared a video discussing the situation, adding that Girdusky was “asked to leave the show” and clarified that the show “did not and did not ask” Hasan to leave the show that he stays. “We really hope he comes back to us soon,” she said.

Girdusky responded to the situation X hours later, calling his comment to Hasan “a joke” and attacking the network.

“Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. “I’m glad America sees what CNN stands for,” he said.

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