A GUEST on CNN will no longer feature on the news network following a panel discussion in which he appeared to say he hoped a Muslim journalist was blown up in a bomb attack.
The incident started during a panel on Monday, when writer Ryan Girdusky and journalist Mehdi Hasan were discussing Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden as well as accusations the presidential candidate is spreading Nazi-style ideas.
Girdusky told Hasan, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, that he is often branded as antisemitic by his opponents.
Girdusky to Hasan: I hope your beeper doesn’t go off pic.twitter.com/YmHhYnkDZ3
— Acyn (@Acyn) October 29, 2024
Hasan replied by saying he was a “supporter of the Palestinians so I’m used to it” to which Girdusky said: “Yeah, well I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”
The journalist then asked Girdusky: “Did you just say I should die?”
Girdusky denied on air that he had said this as guests started to speak over one another and host Abby Phillip tried to intervene.
Hasan suggest Girdusky was inciting violence against him and that CNN allowed a panellist to suggest “the Muslim guy should be blown up”.
On air, Girdusky claimed his comments came because he thought Hasan had said he supported Hamas.
“You didn’t think I said Hamas. I said I’m a supporter of Palestinian rights,” Hasan said.
“At least have the guts to support your racist comment,” he later added.
Following a break, the show returned with neither Girdusky or Hasan present with Phillip apologising to viewers.
She said: “When we get this discussion started you’ll see that Ryan is not at the table. There is a line that was crossed there and it’s not acceptable to me, it’s not acceptable to us at this network.
“We can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest of the low kind of discourse.”
In a separate statement, the network said: “There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air.
“We aim to foster thoughtful conversations and debate including between people who profoundly disagree and debate including between people who profoundly disagree with each other in order to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding.
“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.”
