CNN bans MAGA panelist Ryan Girdusky for wild 'beeper' jibe at Mehdi Hasan on live TV

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: Right-wing panelist Ryan Gidursky was banned from CNN after he made a wild threatening comment at left-wing co-panelist Mehdi Hasan, on Monday, October 28, reported the Daily Mail.

Prominent MAGA supporter and founder of the 1776 Project PAC, Gidursky had engaged with British-American journalist Hasan in a heated discussion on the hateful rhetoric promoted at the Madison Square Garden rally of GOP nominee Donald Trump on Sunday, during their appearance on network host Abby Phillip's show.

What did Ryan Girdusky tell Mehdi Hasan?

Calling out the divisive and hateful rhetoric used by Trump and his allies at rallies, Hasan stated on the show, "My problem is, I get it, nobody wants to be called Nazis, it's very inflammatory. But if you don't want to be called Nazis, stop doing..."

He was interrupted by Gidursky at that point, who claimed that Hasan has "been called an antisemite more than anyone at this table" for being critical of Israel's assault on Gaza and Palestinians.

"Yes, by you," retorted Hasan, noting that he was in fact in solidarity with the Palestinians.

Gidursky acknowledged, and then shockingly said, "Well, I hope your beeper doesn't go off."

"Did you say I should die? You just said I should be killed?" Hasan asked Gidursky incredulously, and then ignoring the latter's protest, turned to host Phillip and questioned, "Did your guest just say I should be killed on live TV?"

Phillip slammed Gidursky on the show, calling his statement "disgusting."

The MAGA advocate apologized and claimed to have focused on Hamas. Even if that was the case, Gidurski was apparently confused between Hamas and Hezbollah, as Israel had targeted the latter group with pager blasts, which he was referring to in his outrageous swipe at Hasan.

"I don't support Hamas, I support Palestinian rights," said Hasan. "What's great is Rudy Giuliani said this yesterday so you're a great guest to be here to defend Rudy Giuliani's racism. This is what we're in now, this is America in 2024."

"Forget the racism, it's 'I should die.' What does beeper mean? What did you mean by the beeper? At least have the guts to support your racist comment," Hasan continued in a fit of rage as Gidursky tried to back away from his comment. "'Don't call us Nazis', but threaten the brown guy as a terrorist and kill him."

CNN's statement over the incident

The show went for a break as the exchange heated up, and neither Hasan nor Gidursky returned afterward.

"I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table," Phillips told the viewers watching her show. "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's not acceptable to me. It's not acceptable to us at this network."

She later shared a statement issued by CNN that read, "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.”

Gidursky also commented on the incident on the social media platform X, claiming, "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."

Internet slams Ryan Girdusky over spat with Mehdi Hasan

Netizens called out Gidursky over his offensive statement while reacting to his post on X. The following tweets demonstrate their predominant takes.

"Telling someone to die from a beeper explosion is not a joke, dummy," wrote a user.

"Yes you even followed normal joke structure by apologizing profusely after the punchline," mocked another.

"Keep on digging, Ryan," stated a third.

"You walked it back real quick on air, but now you’re talking shit on Twitter once you left the room," called out a fourth.

"Just tweet through it, you're doing amazing," jibed a fifth, accompanied by a gif of dumpster fire.

"This was no joke. You are a joke. You are also a disgusting racist," expressed a sixth.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online