During a segment on CNN's "NewsNight" with Abby Phillip, conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky was removed from the show after he made a controversial remark to fellow guest Mehdi Hasan, stating, "I hope your beeper doesn't go off." This comment occurred while they were discussing the inflammatory rhetoric at former President Donald Trump’s rally in New York City.
Girdusky, the founder of the 1776 Project political action committee, directed his comment toward Hasan, who is of Indian descent and Muslim. The rally, held at Madison Square Garden, drew significant criticism due to several speakers making racially charged remarks. This incident comes amid reports alleging that Trump’s former chief of staff, John Kelly, and others had remarked on Trump’s past admiration for Adolf Hitler.
During the heated exchange, Girdusky claimed that the media labeled all attendees at Trump’s rally as "Hitler" and "fascist," defending the former president. Phillip interjected, asserting that such accusations were unfounded. Hasan then critiqued the rally, denouncing the language used by speakers like comedian Tony Hinchcliffe, which he categorized as echoing far-right sentiments.
Hasan expressed that while being labeled a Nazi is inflammatory, he argued that those who use such divisive language should reconsider their rhetoric. Girdusky retaliated by implying that Hasan has faced accusations of antisemitism, to which Hasan responded by attributing the comments to Girdusky's circle, emphasizing his support for Palestinians.
Following the tense exchange, Girdusky referenced a recent incident involving Israel’s military actions against Hezbollah, which resulted in numerous casualties, hinting at its relevance to the discussion. Hasan has been vocal in his criticism of Israel’s military response to the October 7 Hamas attacks and has faced backlash for his views, including accusations of promoting hatred.
After a commercial break, Phillip apologized to Hasan and condemned Girdusky's remarks as "completely unacceptable," emphasizing the importance of civility in discussions. Hasan did not return to the panel, and Phillip clarified in a message that CNN did not request Hasan to leave.
CNN issued a statement reaffirming its stance against racism and bigotry, announcing that Girdusky would not return to the network. In response, Girdusky criticized CNN on social media, suggesting a bias against conservatives while defending his comments as a joke.
The segment began with Phillip showcasing clips from Trump’s rally, including Hinchcliffe’s disparaging remarks about Puerto Rico and controversial comments regarding the Israel-Palestine situation made by other speakers. Former Republican Representative Scott Taylor, also on the panel, condemned Hinchcliffe's comments, labeling them inappropriate for the setting. He acknowledged the heightened emotions surrounding the upcoming election and suggested that inflammatory rhetoric was present on both sides.
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