Elham Asaad Buaras
CNN has permanently barred conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky after he made a controversial remark directed at British American journalist Mehdi Hasan during a heated debate on CNN Newsnight on October 28.
The incident unfolded as Girdusky referenced recent attacks in Lebanon involving explosive devices and Hezbollah, saying to Hasan, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.” The comment came in response to Hasan’s criticisms of Israel’s ongoing war on Gaza. Hasan, the founder of the media company Zeteo, reacted by asking, “Did you just say I should die?”
In response, CNN issued a statement saying, “There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air.” The network emphasised its commitment to fostering “thoughtful conversations and debate, including between people who profoundly disagree with each other…to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding.” CNN added, “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.”
The exchange between Girdusky and Hasan occurred amidst a panel discussion on the then forthcoming US presidential election and the rally held at Madison Square Garden by Republican candidate Donald Trump. Hasan criticised the rhetoric at the rally, where several speakers, including Trump, were accused of making racist and sexist comments against minority groups such as Black Americans, Latinos, and Jews. During the debate, Hasan admitted that calling Trump and his supporters “Nazis” is “inflammatory,” but added, “But if you don’t want to be called Nazis, stop doing, stop saying,” before being interrupted by Girdusky.
Girdusky countered by claiming Hasan has been called an “anti-Semite more than anyone at this table.” Hasan responded, “I am in support of the Palestinians, so I am used to it.” This led to Girdusky’s comment about the beeper, referencing recent attacks in Lebanon. Hasan immediately questioned, “Did you just say I should die? Did you just say I should be killed?”
Moderator Phillip interjected, criticising Girdusky’s remarks and, after a commercial break, apologised to Hasan. She stated, “There is a line that was crossed there, and it’s not acceptable to me.”
In a six-minute statement on Zeteo, Hasan expressed shock over the encounter, stating, “I have interviewed, debated, sparred with controversial, opinionated, offensive people from across the world: sitting presidents, prime ministers, former CIA and Mossad directors, Trump officials, Biden officials, and more. But never… have I been so stunned by what was said to me that I had to walk off set.”
Meanwhile, Trita Parsi, Executive Vice President of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, reflected on the state of discourse, saying, “Every day, we think we may have hit rock bottom, and every day we are proven wrong.”
Girdusky later responded on X, writing, “Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”
Photo: British American journalist Mehdi Hasan, left, and Ryan Girdusky on CNN on Monday night. (Credit: CNN)
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