CNN bans panelist over racist comment to Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan

During the exchange, Girdusky, a Trump supporter, told Hasan, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” a comment widely viewed as a reference to recent Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah pagers and radios in Lebanon. Hasan had previously expressed pro-Palestinian views.

Girdusky to Hasan: I hope your beeper doesn’t go off pic.twitter.com/YmHhYnkDZ3

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024

The exchange has since been viewed tens of millions of times online. In response, CNN anchor Abby Phillip issued an on-air apology to Hasan, and CNN later stated, “There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network.”

Phillip: I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable when we get this discussion started, you’ll see that Ryan is not at the table… I want to apologize to the viewers at home pic.twitter.com/wyPaStHUex

— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024

Girdusky apologised on-air for his comments but defended himself on social media, describing his words as a joke. He tweeted, “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media. Apparently, you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke”, as reported by Reuters.

Rights advocates have noted a rise in hateful rhetoric and threats against American Muslims, Arabs, and Jews since the escalation of conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon following the October. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas militants.

(with inputs from Reuters)