Posted on October 29, 2024

CNN Bans Commentator Ryan Girdusky From Network After His Verbal Attack on Mehdi Hasan

Ted Johnson, Deadline, October 28, 2024

CNN says commentator Ryan Girdusky will no longer be welcome on the network after his offensive remark to fellow guest Mehdi Hasan tonight.

“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” the network said in a statement shared by host Abby Phillip tonight.

Earlier tonight on NewsNight with Abby Phillip, Girdusky was ushered off the show during a commercial break after making a crass comment suggesting Hasan was a member of terrorist organization. {snip}

{snip}

In post on X, Girdusky wrote, “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.”

Girdusky was having an argument with Hasan over the rhetoric used at Donald Trump’s rally on Sunday evening at Madison Square Garden.

Hasan said that “if you don’t want to be called Nazis, stop doing, stop saying,” but he was interrupted by Girdusky. He noted that Hasan was called an “anti-Semite more than anyone at this table.”

“By you,” Hasan said.

Then, Girdusky denied that he had called him that.

“I am in support of the Palestinians, so I am used to it,” Hasan said.

“I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky replied. That was a reference to the exploding beepers of Hezbollah members, although Girdusky mentioned Hamas when the discussion devolved into crosstalk.

{snip}