MAGA commentator lashes out at CNN after network kicks him off air for ‘racist’ beeper ‘joke’

On By Littum

The conservative commentator kicked CNN for making a “racist” remark to a fellow panelist, who has hit out at the network for banning him.

Donald Trump supporter Ryan Girdusky claimed his comment, which appeared to suggest he hoped Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan would be blown up in a bombing, was a “joke”.

“You can stay on CNN if you falsely call all Republicans Nazis and have taken money from Qatari-funded media,” Girdusky lashed out in a post on X.

“Obviously you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America can see what CNN stands for.”

The fallout began on the Abby Phillips show Monday night, where Girdusky and panelist Mehdi Hasan discussed Trump’s campaign rally at Madison Square Garden and allegations that the Trump campaign is spreading Nazi-style ideas.

Girdusky made a comment about labels and how Hasan, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, is often labeled an anti-Semite by his opponents.

Hasan, editor-in-chief of the Zeteo news site, said he is used to the attack, given his vocal support for the Palestinians.

CNN said it will no longer show Ryan Girdusky after heated exchange
CNN said it will no longer show Ryan Girdusky after heated exchange (CNN)

“Yeah, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky said then.

The comment appeared to be a reference to last month’s large-scale explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to alleged Hezbollah members, which killed 37 people and injured thousands, many of them civilians. Lebanese officials have blamed Israel for the attack, which denies responsibility.

“Did you just say I was going to die?” an outraged Hasan replied to Girdusky. “Did you just say I was going to be killed on live TV?”

Chaos ensued as other panelists joined in reprimanding Girdusky, who initially apologized after being called out.

CNN has since said it will no longer feature appearances by the author following the clash.

Girdusky responded to the fallout in a post on X
Girdusky responded to the fallout in a post on X (@RyanGirdusky/X)

“There is zero place for racism or bigotry on CNN or on our air,” the network said in a statement. “We aim to foster thoughtful conversation and debate, including between people who strongly disagree with each other, to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding.

“However, we will not allow guests to be demeaned or to cross the line of civility. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back into our network.”

Phillip also addressed the controversy in a separate statement, in which she clarified why both panelists did not return following a hiatus following the dispute.

“As you may have seen Ryan was asked to leave the show and we have issued a statement saying he is not welcome back on our air,” Phillip said. “There is a line here on this program and it was crossed, but I also want to be clear that we did not ask Mehdi not to come back.

“In fact, we really wanted him to come back and finish the show, we had a lot to talk to him about and we really hope he’ll rejoin us soon. But for those of you wondering, why he didn’t come back, I just want to be very clear that it wasn’t in any way because we didn’t want him back at all.”

Hasan has not responded directly to the incident, but shared CNN’s statement about his X profile.