'Unacceptable': CNN bans MAGA pundit over 'racist comment' to Mehdi Hasan during live panel

Editor's note: CNN has since issued a statement on the incident, saying: 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.

CNN sent a far-right commentator packing after he made a racist comment to one of his fellow panelists during a live segment on Monday night.

During a panel discussion moderated by CNN host Abby Phillip, a conversation between panelists about former President Donald Trump and the word "fascist" grew heated. As Newsweek recounted, panelist Mehdi Hasan — a former MSNBC host who founded the news outlet Zeteo earlier this year — was in the middle of a back-and-forth with conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky about Trump's recent Madison Square Garden rally, in which multiple speakers paraded racist conspiracy theories and told jokes at the expense of ethnic minorities.

At one point, Girdusky claimed "the media" was labeling everyone who attended the rally as "Hitler" and a "fascist." Hasan pushed back, saying: "That did not happen."

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"My problem is, I get it, nobody wants to be called Nazis. It's very inflammatory," Hasan continued, telling Girdusky that "if you don't want to be called Nazis, stop [using far-right rhetoric]."

"You've been called an anti-Semite more than anyone at this table," Girdusky responded, with Hasan replying: "By people like you. I'm in support of the Palestinians. I'm used to it."

After more crosstalk, Girdusky told Hasan, who is a Muslim and of Indian descent: "I hope your beeper doesn't go off."

"Are you a racist, violent person inciting violence against me?" Hasan asked, as Phillip repeatedly attempted to get the conversation back on track. "At least have the guts to support your racist comment."

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As the Washington Post reported, Girdusky's remark was likely meant to equate Hasan with Hezbollah, as Israel rigged beepers carried by Hezbollah operatives with explosives in Lebanon earlier this month. Girdusky attempted to apologize, but Hasan and other panelists told him that his apology was not sufficient.

After the panel came back from a commercial break, Phillip announced that Girdusky had been asked to leave, and that he would no longer appear on the network, calling his comments "completely unacceptable."

"There is a line here on this program and it was crossed," Phillip said.

Click here to read Newsweek's report in its entirety.

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