CNN issued a public apology following a shocking incident on their NewsNight program. During a heated debate, conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky made a deeply concerning remark directed at Mehdi Hasan, a Muslim broadcaster and former MSNBC host.
Girdusky’s comment, “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” was widely interpreted as a veiled threat referencing recent attacks on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The incident sparked outrage as it suggested a dangerous escalation of rhetoric targeting Hasan purely based on his faith.
Hasan challenged Girdusky’s statement directly, questioning whether he was being threatened live on air. Following a brief commercial break, anchor Abby Phillip addressed the distressing incident, offering a sincere apology to Hasan and viewers at home.
Phillip confirmed that Girdusky had been removed from the program, emphasizing CNN’s unwavering commitment to providing a platform free from racism and bigotry. The network’s subsequent statement reiterated its stance, affirming Girdusky’s permanent ban from their platform.
Previously, tensions had flared between the two when Hasan called out those on the far right for espousing Nazi-like ideologies and rhetoric. Girdusky responded by accusing Hasan of antisemitism, leading to a back-and-forth exchange that ignited further hostility.
Girdusky attempted to clarify his “beeper” comment, claiming he mistakenly believed Hasan supported Hamas, but his subsequent post on X suggested a defiant disregard for the seriousness of the situation.
He doubled down, criticizing CNN’s stance while seemingly relishing the attention his controversial remarks generated.