CNN bans Ryan Girdusky for ‘beeper’ remark aimed at Mehdi Hasan
CNN has banned a conservative pundit from ever appearing on the network again after he made an off-color remark to a progressive Muslim journalist during a terse exchange on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”
It began when guest panelist Ryan Girdusky said that fellow guest Mehdi Hasan had frequently been called an antisemite, which Hasan acknowledged, saying he was “used to it” as a vocal supporter of Palestinians.
“Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky said, apparently referencing Israel’s carefully coordinated stealth strike last month in which a wave of deadly pager explosions in Lebanon wounded thousands of members of Iran-backed terror group Hezbollah.
The comment drew immediate rebukes from the other panelists, with Mehdi pointedly asking, “Did you just say I should die?”
Host Abby Phillip tried to rein in the men as the argument escalated, with Medhi again asking, “Did you just say I should be killed on CNN?”
Girdusky seemed to backpedal momentarily, inquiring whether Medhi was saying he supported Hamas. The British-American journalist replied, “Of course” he didn’t support Hamas, at which point Girdusky said “Well, then I apologize.”
This qualified apology only made matters worse, with Phillip and the other guests excoriating Girdusky for what they called “disgusting” and “racist” remarks.
Within hours of the spectacle, CNN issued a statement denouncing his remarks.
“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” the statement reads in part, noting that the network aims to “foster thoughtful conversation and debate” between those who disagree.
“But we will not allow guests to be demeaned or for the line of civility to be crossed. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network.”
Girdusky, who has written for publications including American Conservative Magazine, took to X to slam the network for his banishment.
“You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Quatar-funded media,” he wrote in a veiled reference to Mehdi’s media startup, Zeteo, being funded by the Middle Eastern nation’s government — a claim he’s repeatedly denied.
“Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”
Mehdi, who was born in the UK to Hyderabadi Muslim parents who immigrated from India, has written or contributed to left-leaning outlets including Al Jazeera and MSNBC.
Last year he was accused of plagiarizing a column he wrote in favor of child-spanking over 20 years ago, and in 2019, he apologized when old blog recordings surfaced in which the commentator likened groups like non-Muslims and atheists to “cattle.”
