CNN has banned a conservative pundit from the network after he made a joke to a lefty Muslim commentator Mehdi Hasan during a terse exchange on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.” It began when guest panelist Ryan Girdusky pointed out that Hasan has been called an antisemite.
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 panelists as the argument escalated.
Medhi again accused Girdusky of threatening him, saying “Did you just say I should be killed on CNN?” Girdusky seemed to backpedal — asking whether Medhi was saying he supported Hamas.
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.
“Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke.
A conservative pundit was banned from CNN after making a joke to Mehdi Hasan, a left-leaning Muslim commentator, during a heated exchange on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”. “”.
Guest panelist Ryan Girdusky started it off by pointing out that Hasan has been accused of being antisemitic. Hasan claimed that because he is an outspoken supporter of Palestinians, he was “accustomed to” the label.
In reference to Israel’s coordinated attack on Hezbollah last month, in which thousands of pagers used by Lebanese terrorists simultaneously exploded, Girdusky remarked, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”.
The other panelists quickly chastised the remark, with Mehdi pointingly posing, “Did you just say I should die?”.
As the debate heated up, host Abby Phillip made an effort to control the panelists. In his statement, “Did you just say I should be killed on CNN?” Medhi once more accused Girdusky of threatening him.
Girdusky appeared to change his mind and inquired as to whether Medhi was implying that he backed Hamas. “Of course,” the British-American journalist retorted, denying any support for Hamas.
Girdusky said, “All right, then I’m sorry. “”.
With Phillip and the other guests denouncing Girdusky for what they described as “disgusting” and “racist” comments, this apology only made the situation worse.
CNN condemned Girdusky in a statement within hours of the incident.
The statement states, in part, that “there is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” adding that the network wants to “foster thoughtful conversation and debate” between people who hold different opinions.
However, we will not permit guests to be treated disrespectfully or to cross the boundary of civility. We will not accept Ryan Girdusky back into our network. “”.
Girdusky, who has contributed to magazines such as American Conservative Magazine, criticized the network on X for his expulsion.
He wrote, “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Quatar-funded media,” implying that Mehdi’s media startup, Zeteo, was supported by the government of the Middle Eastern country, a claim he has consistently denied.
Apparently, jokes are not allowed on CNN. I’m happy CNN offers America a glimpse of its values. “.”.
Mehdi, who was born in the UK to Indian immigrant parents, has written for or contributed to left-leaning media sites like MSNBC and Al Jazeera.
