(NewsNation) — “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” a conservative commentator said to a Muslim journalist during an appearance on CNN Monday night.
The comment, alluding to the fatal spate of exploding pagers in Lebanon last month, crossed a line during a heated panel debate about racist jokes made by comedian Tony Hinchcliffe on Sunday during former President Donald Trump‘s New York City rally.
Conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky found himself banned from CNN after making the comment toward British-American journalist Mehdi Hasan on “CNN Newsnight” with host Abby Phillip after Hasan said he had been labeled as “an anti-Semite” for supporting Palestine.
“I’m a supporter of the Palestinians, I’m used to it,” Hasan said.
“Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky replied.
Hasan continued, “Did you just say I should die? You just said I should be killed.”
The comment caused Phillip and other guests to speak up against Girdusky, ultimately influencing him to apologize to Hasan.
CNN released a statement following the incident, apologizing to Hasan and ensuring those segments are supposed to encourage thoughtful conversation and debate. It also announced it would no longer allow Girdusky back on the network.
“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air. We aim to foster thoughtful conversations and debates, 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,” the statement said.
Phillip also commented on CNN’s statement, agreeing with it and clarifying that the network has invited Hasan to rejoin the conversation and network.
“I take this very seriously and want to again apologize to @mehdirhasan and I hope he’ll join us another time,” Phillip wrote.
Girdusky took to social media as well, defending himself and his comment.
“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,” Girdusky said.