Conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky‘s recent comments during an interview with Mehdi Hasan sparked controversy and led to his ban from CNN. The exchange, which quickly escalated, has garnered significant attention on social media.
Now, many are curious to know why did CNN ban Ryan Girdusky after his interview with Mehdi Hasan?
CNN bans Ryan Girdusky after his interview with Mehdi Hasan
CNN has banned Ryan Girdusky from the network following an inappropriate exchange during CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip. The controversy erupted during a heated discussion about Donald Trump’s rally at Madison Square Garden wherein Girdusky directed a shocking comment at fellow panelist Mehdi Hasan.
During the discussion, Girdusky remarked to Hasan, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” referencing recent bombings linked to Hezbollah members. This remark came after Hasan identified himself as “a supporter of the Palestinians.” Taken aback, Hasan retorted, “Did you just say I should die?” Following this tense exchange, CNN quickly issued a statement announcing that Girdusky was banned from the network.
The network released a statement affirming their commitment to respectful dialogue, declaring that “there is zero room for racism or bigotry” on their platform. It mentions that the network “will not allow guests to be demeaned or for the line of civility to be crossed.” The statement further reads, “Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network.”
Host Abby Phillip addressed the incident, noting that Girdusky had been removed during a commercial break due to the unacceptable nature of his comments. She shared, “It‘s a heated time. We‘re in the middle of a political season. We are eight days from a presidential election, but we can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest of the lowest kind of discourse.”
Phillip addressed the situation further, clarifying that the network did not ask Hasan to not return to the show. “In fact, we really wanted him to come back and finish the show.”
In response to CNN’s decision, Girdusky took to social media and criticized the network. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), “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. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”
