MAGA commentator lashes out at CNN after network kicks him off show for ‘racist’ beeper ‘joke’

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The conservative commentator called out CNN for making a “racist” remark to another panelist and criticized the network for its ban.

Donald Trump supporter Ryan Girdusky claimed his comment suggesting he hoped Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan would be blown up in a bombing was a “joke.”

“You can stay at CNN when you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatari-funded media outlets,” Girdusky criticized in a post on X.

“Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America sees what CNN stands for.”

The episodes began on Abby Phillips’ show Monday night, where Girdusky and panelist Mehdi Hasan discussed Trump’s campaign rally at Madison Square Garden and allegations that the Trump campaign is spreading Nazi-style ideas.

Girdusky made a comment about labels and how Hasan, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, is often branded an anti-Semitic by his opponents.

Hasan, editor-in-chief of news site Zeteo, said he was used to the attack because he was a vocal supporter of the Palestinians.

“Yeah, well, I hope your pager doesn’t go off,” Girdusky then said.

The comment appeared to refer to the large-scale explosion of suspected Hezbollah members’ pagers and walkie-talkies last month, which killed 37 people and injured thousands, including many civilians. Lebanese officials have blamed Israel for the attack, which has denied responsibility.

“Did you just say I should die?” an outraged Hasan replied to Girdusky. “Did you just say I should be killed on live television?”

Chaos ensued as other panelists joined in to rebuke Girdusky, who initially apologized after being called out.

CNN has since said there will be no more appearances by the author following the collision.

“There is no room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our show,” the network said in a statement. “Our aim is to promote thoughtful conversations and debates, even between people who have deeply different opinions, to discuss important issues and promote mutual understanding.

“But we will not allow guests to be humiliated or to cross the line of politeness. Ryan Girdusky will no longer be welcome on our network.”

Phillip also addressed the controversy in a separate statement, explaining why both panelists did not return to the discussion after taking a break following the argument.

“As you may have seen, Ryan has been asked to leave the show and we have issued a statement saying he is not welcome on our show,” Phillip said. “There is a line that has been crossed here in this program, but I also want to make it clear that we did not 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 really hope that he will come back to us soon. But for those of you who are wondering why he didn’t come back, I want to make it very clear that it wasn’t at all because we didn’t want him back in the first place.”

Hasan did not directly respond to the incident but shared CNN’s statement on his X-Profile.