A conservative commentator has been barred from future on-air appearances after making a polemical remark during a heated exchange on CNN’s “NewsNight” on Monday.
During the segment, former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, a vocal Palestinian rights advocate, stated that he was “used to” being tagged an antisemite because of his pro-Palestinian views.
Ryan Girdusky, a devoted Trump supporter, then retorted, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” referencing an Israeli military operation pager explosions covertly placed in the pockets of Hezbollah operatives.
Omg. Did you see this??
— CALL TO ACTIVISM (@CalltoActivism) October 29, 2024
This is DISGUSTING.
CNN panelist Ryan Girdusky says to Medhi Hasan: “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”
He has been BANNED from CNN.
pic.twitter.com/23AW5JX8su
The remaining panel members, including host Abby Phillip, were visibly shocked. Girdusky then attempted to downplay his remarks, saying he mistook Hasan’s comment as support for Hamas, which Phillip and fellow panelists swiftly rebuffed.
“Are you a racist, violent person inciting violence against me?” Hasan asked Girdusky. “At least have the guts to stand by your words.”
Girducky appeared reluctant to double down.
Following the contentious exchange, Phillip returned on-air solo, apologizing to Hasan and viewers for what she labeled as “completely unacceptable” conduct and confirming that Girdusky would no longer be welcome on the news platform.
Sharing @CNN’s statement and a quick message from me about what happened on tonight’s show.
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 29, 2024
I take this very seriously and want to again apologize to @mehdirhasan and I hope he’ll join us another time. pic.twitter.com/O9l0Ftv5NZ
Philip shared a network statement on social media, underscoring that “there is zero tolerance for racism or bigotry at CNN.”
I’m happy to learn that CNN has banned Ryan Girdusky from appearing on their network in the future. But why was an alt-right extremist like him — a frequent guest on the show of a Proud Boys founder — invited onto CNN panels in the first place? ????pic.twitter.com/9gU45zlT1e
— Jon Cooper ???????? (@joncoopertweets) October 29, 2024
Girdusky, a New York-based conservative consultant who founded the 1776 Project PAC, responded defiantly on social media, posting: “Apparently, you can’t make a joke on CNN. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”
