CNN Guest Ryan Gidursky Directs Racist Attack on Mehdi Hasan

CNN‘s NewsNight descended into chaos and acrimony on Monday night after Donald Trump surrogate Ryan Girdusky directed an Islamophobic attack on fellow panel guest Mehdi Hasan.

During a discussion about Trump’s now infamous Madison Square Garden rally, which saw a number of speakers make blatantly racist remarks about Black people, Palestinians, Latinos, Jews and particularly about Puerto Rico, the panel got heated and Hasan said as a supporter of Palestinians he was used to people groundlessly accusing him of being an antisemite.

Girdusky then replied, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.” The quip, which heavily implied that Hasan was a terrorist, was in reference to the recent spate of pager bombings carried out by Israel that targeted Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Hasan and the other guests immediately realized Girdusky’s insinuation and called him out on it, with Hasan asking Girdusky whether he wanted Hasan to die. “Did you just say I should die? Did you just say I should be killed live on CNN?” an incredulous Hasan asked.

Host Abby Phillip and guest Ashley Allison quickly called out Girdusky for his racist comment and also stopped his attempts to walk back what he said and apologize. “Ryan that is completely out of pocket, you know that,” Phillip said as Girdusky tried to prevaricate. “Don’t say ‘I apologize’ you literally accused him [of being a terrorist]”

As Girdusky continued trying to explain his comment, Phillip said: “Ryan, stop talking.”

When the NewsNight returned after a break, Girdusky had been removed from the panel and Phillip addressed the incident straight to camera. “First I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table it was completely unacceptable. 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 is not acceptable to me, it’s not acceptable to us at this network.”

Phillip continued, “We want discussion, we want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other. But when you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that is not going to happen here on this show. It’s a heated time, we’re in the middle of a political season, we are eight days from a presidential election. But we can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest of the lowest kind of discourse.”

In a statement after the segment aired, CNN 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 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.”