CNN bans Ryan Girdusky following heated ‘beeper’ comment to Mehdi Hasan – Washington Examiner
CNN has announced that it has banned Republican commentator Ryan Girdusky after a controversial comment he made during a live discussion with Mehdi Hasan on the show NewsNight With Abby Phillip. The discussion escalated as they debated comparisons being made between Donald Trump and fascists, with Hasan arguing that Trump’s rhetoric closely mirrors that of Adolf Hitler. Girdusky then made a reference to “expanding beepers” and Hezbollah operatives, which was perceived as crossing the line of civility.
In a statement, CNN emphasized its commitment to preventing racism and bigotry on its platform, asserting that Girdusky’s comment was unacceptable, and he would not be welcomed back. Abby Phillip, the show’s host, reiterated that Girdusky’s comment crossed a boundary and expressed her desire for Hasan to return in the future.
After his ban, Girdusky expressed on social media his relief that his remarks were visible to the public, critiquing CNN’s standards for what constitutes permissible discourse. He pointed out that others, even those who label Republicans negatively, seem to be accepted on the network while he was not for making a joke. This incident has further fueled discussions around the boundaries of political commentary and media conduct.
CNN bans Ryan Girdusky following heated ‘beeper’ comment to Mehdi Hasan
CNN has distanced itself from Republican commentator Ryan Girdusky following a live comment he made to media personality Mehdi Hasan, which the former argued was “a joke.”
Girdusky and Hasan participated in a roundtable discussion on CNN’s NewsNight With Abby Phillip to talk about former President Donald Trump’s rally in Madison Square Garden. During the roundtable, Girdusky insisted media outlets were comparing Trump and all of the rally attendees to “fascists.” Hasan, meanwhile, noted how Trump’s speech referenced “the enemy within” the United States, which he argued is “literally” the same language as Adolf Hitler and Trump needs to “stop saying” things that draw comparisons between him and the German leader.
Hasan and Girdusky then engaged in a back-and-forth argument after Girdusky noted Hasan had been deemed “an antisemite more than anyone at this table.” Hasan then stated he is “used to it” since he supports the Palestinians, prompting Girdusky to state, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” referencing the exploding pagers that Hezbollah operatives were carrying last month.
“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” said CNN in a statement Monday night. “We aim to foster thoughtful conversations 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.”
Sharing @CNN’s statement and a quick message from me about what happened on tonight’s show.
I take this very seriously and want to again apologize to @mehdirhasan and I hope he’ll join us another time. pic.twitter.com/O9l0Ftv5NZ
— Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 29, 2024
In a video accompanying CNN’s statement, network anchor Abby Phillip stated, “There is a line” on the network, and Girdusky “crossed” this line with his comment. She also revealed Hasan is welcome to return to the network when he pleases.
Following his appearance on CNN, Girdusky wrote on X that he was “glad America gets to see what CNN stands for” with his firing.
“You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media,” Girdusky wrote. “Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke.”
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.
— Ryan James Girdusky (@RyanGirdusky) October 29, 2024
Girdusky accusing CNN of allowing people to “call every Republican a Nazi” comes after former 2016 presidential candidate Hillary Clinton stated that Trump would be “reenacting” the Nazi rally held in Madison Square Garden in 1939, a prediction she made Thursday during an appearance with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins. Last year, network anchor Jake Tapper compared Trump’s comment about immigrants “poisoning the blood” of the U.S. to Hitler’s writings in Mein Kampf.
Following Trump’s rally, MSNBC received backlash for using footage of the 1939 Nazi rally and comparing it to Sunday’s event. Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN), Vice President Kamala Harris’s 2024 running mate, has also stated there is a “direct parallel” between Trump’s event and the rally in 1939.
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