CNN Bans Panelist, Host Apologizes After 'I Hope Your Beeper Doesn’t Go Off' Remark Aimed at Mehdi Hasan

CNN says the panelist who recently told Mehdi Hasan “I hope your beeper doesn’t go off” during an episode of Abby Phillip’s NewsNight will “not be welcomed back.”

The widely criticized moment in question saw Hasan, who previously led his own show for Peacock and MSNBC, pointing out what MAGA-aligned types could do if they didn’t want to “be called Nazis.” At this point, Hasan was cut off, with talk turning to being called antisemitic due to expressions of support for Palestinian rights.

“I’m a supporter of the Palestinians, so I’m used to it,” Hasan said, to which Ryan Girdusky, a Trump supporter, responded, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”

The segment was off the rails from that point forward, with Hasan expressing shock at the remark and asking, “Did he just say I should be killed live on CNN?”

On the air, Phillip offered an apology “for what was said at this table,” calling Girdusky’s remark “completely unacceptable.” She apologized to viewers, noting that the U.S. is currently in the middle of a particularly “heated time” with the presidential election fast approaching.

“There is a line that was crossed there and it’s not acceptable to me and it’s not acceptable to us at this network,” Phillip said. “We want discussion, we want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other, but when you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that is not going to happen here on this show.”

In another video statement, this time shared to social media, Phillip clarified key aspects of the immediate aftermath of the initial live TV moment.

“We did not ask Mehdi to not come back,” Phillip said. “In fact, we really wanted him to come back and finish the show. We had a lot to talk to him about and we really hope that he’ll join us again soon.”

Meanwhile, a CNN statement confirms that Girdusky, who has since criticized the network for the decision, would not be returning for future appearances.

“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” a rep said. “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.”