CNN panellist banned for 'racist' beeper comment against Mehdi Hasan

A panellist has been banned from CNN after making a threatening comment toward prominent British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan during a live broadcast.

In a heated exchange on the NewsNight programme with host Abby Phillip, Hasan criticised the actions of supporters of US presidential candidate Donald Trump. Co-panellist Ryan James Girdusky, a supporter of the former president, told him: "I hope your beeper doesn't go off" after Hasan called himself "a supporter of the Palestinians".

The comment was in apparent reference to recent attacks by Israel in Lebanon involving exploding pagers and radios belonging to Hezbollah members. The attacks killed dozens of Lebanese, including civilians, and injured thousands more.

"Did you just say I should die?" responded Hasan. "Did you just say I should be killed live on CNN?"

Thousands of social media users shared clips from the segment and slammed Girdusky's statement as "racist" and "anti-Muslim". 

"A white man on CNN that supports Trump said he hopes Mehdi Hasan's beeper doesn't go off. This is the type of racism that Palestinians are experiencing publicly," one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Mehdi Hasan voiced his shock after rightwing panellist Ryan James Girdusky told him he hoped Hasan's "beeper didn't go off" during a debate on CNN's NewsNight on Monday.

Girdusky was later removed from the show and CNN apologised to its viewers for the comment. pic.twitter.com/m0tIIhHAdU

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) October 29, 2024

The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) described Girdusky's comment as "deplorable Islamophobia".

"It is deeply troubling to see how such voices have become normalised and given air time. Such inflammatory and racist rhetoric is legitimised, fuelling more hatred against Muslims and minorities," the group said in a post on X.

Ryan Girdusky just said to Mehdi Hasan that he "hopes [his] beeper doesn't go off" live on CNN. He's threatening Hasan and implying he should be murdered. pic.twitter.com/o5RnKI37nO

— Alejandra Caraballo is on Bluesky/Threads (@Esqueer_) October 29, 2024

After pushback from Hasan, Girdusky said he thought the journalist said he supported the Palestinian movement Hamas. "Then I apologise. I thought he said Hamas, I apologise."

Host Phillip then interjected to tell Girdusky that his comment was "completely out of pocket".

The right-wing commentator was removed from air. The host also offered her apologies to Hasan, adding that the remark "was completely unacceptable”.

"We want discussion, we want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other but when you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that is not going to happen here on this show," Phillip said. 

CNN later announced that it had banned Girdusky from appearing on the network.

However, not everyone felt the backlash on Girdusky was justified, with one user writing "there is nothing racist about his 'beeper' line". 

To be fair Mehdi called him a Nazi right before he came back with that comment.

Everyone needs to take a step back and stop with the insults.

— Terry Fahn (@terryfahn) October 29, 2024

Girdusky also took to X to criticise the network: "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."

Middle East Eye has reached out to Hasan, Girdusky and Phillip for comment.

Criticism of CNN

While many praised CNN for quickly responding to Girdusky's comments, others argued that the network's coverage of Muslims, Palestinians and Arabs contributed to the episode.

"CNN has played a central role in normalising this kind of open anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, and anti-Palestinian hate," posted Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.

"And it’s sadly totally unsurprising to see such disgusting statements aired so casually on its network now."

This moment’s going viral, but this is literally what has been said to Arabs & Muslims for the past year whenever they’ve gone on camera, to varying degrees.

The reason why Abby Phillip - who has spread and allowed vile & violent Islamophobia to go unchecked while repeating… https://t.co/znZW5F0mXW

— Sana Saeed (@SanaSaeed) October 29, 2024

Other users held similar sentiments, with some calling for mainstream media to "stop giving a platform" to those with racist ideologies.

"I don’t know why Phillip and CNN give a platform to the worst fascists and racists night after night. Instead of pretending to give a 'balanced view' why doesn’t the media explain that the choice is so unbalanced between good and evil that anyone with any common sense should be able to make it," one user commented.

Ryan Girdusky’s attack against Mehdi Hasan during a live CNN debate is hugely revealing.

It exposes the fascistic doctrine that has enabled the indiscriminate mass slaughters in Palestine and now Lebanon.

Namely that anyone who supports the liberation of Palestinians is a… pic.twitter.com/UTOPNqhUky

— Donna Miles دانا مجاب (@UnPressed) October 29, 2024

Others posted that they found CNN's statement disingenuous.

"Tough break for Girdusky. Clearly didn’t get the memo from CNN that you’re only allowed to falsely accuse Muslims of being terrorists when the anchor is [Jake] Tapper and the subject is Rashida Tlaib," posted one user, referencing an episode where CNN anchors Tapper and Dana Bash accused the congresswoman of being antisemitic based on remarks she never said.

Last week, the American news network came under fire for publishing an article that "humanised" Israeli soldiers who ran over Palestinians with bulldozers.