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

Conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky banned from the network following remark
MEHDI_HASAN
British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan pictured during the Crooked Media - Lovett or Leave It: Live on Tour on 25 April 2024 in Washington, DC (Paul Morigi/AFP)
By Mera Aladam
Published date: 29 October 2024 15:59 GMT | Last update: 9 hours 10 min ago

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". 

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"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.

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.

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". 

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."

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.

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.

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