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    • CNN bans conservative Ryan Girdusky after comment about setting off a Muslim panelist’s beeper
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    CNN bans conservative Ryan Girdusky after comment about setting off a Muslim panelist’s beeper

    Caradoc Wyn Posted on

    Topline

    Conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky was removed from a CNN panel and banned from the network on Monday after he suggested that fellow panelist and journalist Mehdi Hasan was a Member of Hezbollah is rallying.

    Important facts

    During a discussion about former President Donald Trump’s weekend rally at Madison Square Garden, former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan said he understands that no one wants to be called a Nazi and the label is inflammatory, but added: “If you’re not a Nazi want to be labeled. “Stop doing things (that are associated with Nazis).”

    Girdusky interrupted him and said that Hasan had been called an anti-Semitic “more than anyone else at this table,” to which the journalist replied that it was Girdusky who called him that because he supported the Palestinians – “so I’m used to it.”

    Girdusky then interjected, “Yeah, I hope your pager doesn’t go off,” apparently suggesting that Hasan, who is Muslim, is linked to Hezbollah – the Iran-backed militant group whose pager was used on a phone call last month Suspected Israeli attack suddenly exploded.

    Hasan responded by asking, “Did you just say I should die?” Did you just say live on CNN that I should be killed?” He then asked the broadcaster if his guest had just said, “I should be killed on live -Television will be killed?”

    Girdusky’s comment was then criticized by host Abby Phillip, who said it was “totally out of pocket, you know that.”

    When the show next returned from a break, Girdusky had been removed from the panel and Phillip said: “First of all, I would like to apologize to Mehdi Hasan that what was said at that table was completely unacceptable.”

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    Crucial quote

    Shortly after the broadcast, CNN issued a statement saying, “There is no room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our broadcast.” Our goal is to encourage thoughtful conversations and debates, including between people who feel deeply have different opinions. However, we will not allow guests to be humiliated or to exceed the limits of politeness. Ryan Girdusky will no longer be welcome on our network.”

    Main critic

    Girdusky criticized the network in a post on Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America sees what CNN stands for.”

    tangent

    Hasan also did not reappear on the show after the commercial break, leading to speculation that he was also asked to leave. In a video post on X, Phillip clarified: “We didn’t ask Mehdi not to come back. In fact, we really wanted him to come back and finish the show. We had a lot to discuss with him and we very much hope that he will come back to us soon.” Hasan has not yet commented on the incident, but he reposted Phillip’s statement on X.

    Who is Ryan Girdusky?

    Girdusky is a Republican political consultant and author of “They’re Not Listening: How The Elites Created the National Populist Revolution.” Shortly after he appeared on CNN, Harris campaign officials were quick to point out his ties to Trump running mate Sen. JD Vance. Girdusky is listed as an advisory board member of the conservative group American Moment — which also lists Vance as an “emeritus board member.” American Moment is one of several conservative organizations listed on Project 2025’s website as an advisory board member. Girdusky is also the founder of the 1776 Project PAC, a statewide conservative political action committee focused on school board elections.

    Further reading

    Trump Rally Speaker Tony Hinchcliffe Calls Puerto Rico ‘Floating Island of Trash’ – Campaign, Republican Lawmakers React (Forbes)

    Who is Tony Hinchcliffe? Comedian Calls Puerto Rico ‘Island of Trash’ at Trump Rally (Forbes)

    ‘We have to stop insulting each other like this’: JD Vance downplays controversial Puerto Rico joke that sparked outcry (Forbes)

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    Caradoc Wyn
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