CNN Guest Ryan Gidurski Organized Racist Attack on Mehdi Hassan

CNN NewsNight descended into chaos and fury Monday night after Donald Trump surrogate Ryan Girdusky staged an Islamophobic attack on fellow panelist Mehdi Hassan.

During a discussion of Trump’s infamous Madison Square Garden rally, at which a number of speakers made overtly racist remarks about blacks, Palestinians, Latinos, Jews and especially Puerto Rico, the group became heated and Hasan stated that as a supporter of the Palestinians he was used to people groundlessly accusing him of being an anti-Semite.

Girdusky then responded, “I hope your pager doesn’t go off.” The joke, which implied that Hassan was a terrorist, was in reference to a recent series of pager bombings carried out by Israel targeting Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

Hassan and the other guests immediately understood Girduski’s hint and called him out on it, with Hassan asking Girduski if he wanted Hassan dead. “Did you just say that I should die?” Did you just say I should be killed live on CNN?” – Hassan asked incredulously.

Host Abby Phillip and guest Ashley Ellison quickly criticized Girduski for his racist comment, and also squashed his attempts to retract his comments and apologize. “Ryan is completely out of his pocket, you know that,” Phillip said as Girdusky tried to avoid answering. “Don’t say, ‘I’m sorry,’ you literally accused him (of being a terrorist).”

As Girdusky continued to try to explain his comment, Philip said, “Ryan, stop talking.”

When NewsNight Returning from the break, Girduski was removed from the panel and Philippe spoke about the incident directly on camera. “I first want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan that what was said at this table was completely unacceptable. When we begin our discussion, you will see that Ryan is not at the table. A line was crossed there, and it is unacceptable to me, to us in this network.”

Philip continued: “We want discussion, we want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other. But when you cross the line into no politeness at all, that’s not going to happen on this show. It’s a hot time right now, we’re in the middle of the political season, with eight days left until the presidential election. But we can talk about what’s going on in this country without resorting to the lowest of the low talk.”

In a statement after the segment aired, CNN said: “There is no place for racism or bigotry on CNN or on our airwaves. We strive to foster thoughtful conversation and debate, including between people who deeply disagree, to explore 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.”