CNN forced to apologise after panelist tells British Muslim journalist: 'I hope your beeper doesn't go off'

29 October 2024, 11:58 | Updated: 29 October 2024, 14:36

CNN apologised after panelist thrown off air after RyanGirdusky told the British Muslim journalist: 'I hope your beeper doesn't go off'
CNN apologised after panelist thrown off air after RyanGirdusky told the British Muslim journalist: 'I hope your beeper doesn't go off'. Picture: CNN

By Danielle de Wolfe

A Conservative commentator taking part in a US panel show has been thrown off air after telling a British Muslim journalist "I hope your beeper doesn't go off".

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

A verbal altercation that took place during Abby Phillip's CNN show, with British-Muslim commentator Mehdi Hasan was seen to clash head on with American-Catholic commentator Ryan Girdusky on live US television.

The incident came ahead of November's US elections, with the panelists reflecting on Trump's recent New York City event and comments likening it to a Nazi rally.

CNN has now apologised following the incident, after Gidursky was heard to tell Hasan live on air: "I hope your beeper doesn't go off".

“Did your guest just say I should be killed on live TV?” Hasan instantly asked the show’s anchor, Abby Phillip.

An apparent nod towards Hezbollah, the comment appeared to be a reference to a string of recent remote attacks on electronic devices used by the militant group in Lebanon.

The string of incidents - which involved pagers and walkie-talkies - killed more than 30 people and wounded thousands more over two separate attacks on September 17 and 18.

The explosions were widely attributed to Israel, despite Israel denying any involvement.

The US debate then quickly appeared to take a rapid turn, after Hasan referenced his support for Palestinian rights but not Hamas.

Read more: At least 60 'killed in Israeli strike' on Gaza - as Hezbollah appoints new leader

Read more: Afghan women banned from ‘hearing each other’ as Taliban’s latest rule 'surpasses misogyny' and silences women’s voices

Claiming he had "been called an antisemite more than anyone at this table" for his condemnation of Israel's treatment of Palestinians, Girdusky hit out.

In an apparent moment of confusion, Girdusky, founder of the 1776 Project PAC, appeared to confuse Hamas with Hezbollah, hitting out at his fellow panellist with the pager comment.

Following the comments and a subsequent commercial break, Phillip was forced to issue an on-air apology to Hasan.

She informed viewers that Girdusky had been removed from the show.

“I want to apologise to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable,” she said.

“I want to apologise to the viewers at home.”

CNN have also since said there is “zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air” and that Girdusky “will not be welcomed back at our network”. Hasan retweeted the statement on X.

However, Girdusky appeared to double down shortly after.

Posting to X, he said: “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media,” he said.

“Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America gets to see what CNN stands for.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Dorothy Chiles

Great-grandmother, 87, pictured for first time after deadly train station attack, as woman in her 20s arrested

President Donald Trump speaks on Wednesday night

Trump makes plans to meet Putin and end Ukraine war as he says 'the US wants its money back'

Exclusive
Katie Amess has spoken out about the need for an inquiry into her father's murder by an Islamist terrorist

Daughter of Sir David Amess, MP murdered by Islamist terrorist, ‘made to sign NDA’ on report into father’s death

Exclusive
Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Angela Rayner reveals she took advice from NHS trauma specialists ahead of Grenfell demolition meeting

Italian F1 Grand Prix - Previews

Nightclub bouncer behind £12m plot to reveal Formula One star Michael Schumacher's health secrets jailed

Josef Fritzl

Incest monster Josef Fritzl could walk free from prison next year - and expects 'cheering crowds' to greet him

Ofsted's Chief Inspector Sir Martyn Oliver supports an extension to term times

'Time to think about school holidays': Ofsted's Chief Inspector supports extending term times

Exclusive
Angela Rayner insisted that British support for Ukraine was 'unwavering'

Rayner insists UK support for Ukraine 'unwavering' despite Trump's plan for 'immediate' peace talks with Putin

Prince William, President of BAFTA, operates a film camera as he visits the London Screen Academy in London, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool)

William tries his hand at being a cameraman on visit to London film academy

President Donald J. Trump participates in a bilateral meeting with the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin during the G20 Japan Summit Friday, June 28, 2019, in Osaka, Japan.

Trump and Putin 'to meet in Saudi Arabia' and 'start negotiations immediately' to end war in Ukraine

Street scene in Peckham, London, with red bus

Bus driver, 76, found guilty of killing passenger who was run over while attempting to board vehicle

Norward Road, Lambeth, the proposed LTN.

Council staff given 'wellbeing day' after attending 'stormy' neighbourhood meeting

United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, shakes hands with Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey prior to a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a NATO defense ministers meeting at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Wednesday, Feb.

Ukraine's NATO membership plans 'unrealistic' says US - as defence secretary claims US troops won't be peacekeepers

Jaysley Beck, 19, was found dead at Larkhill Camp in Wiltshire

Officer accused of pinning down and trying to kiss soldier, 19, had been 'waiting for moment for them to be alone'

A public inquiry into the Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks'

Public inquiry into Nottingham attacks will begin 'within weeks', PM tells victims' families

Paul Allen.

Cagefighter guilty of Britain's largest cash robbery shot in neck in his kitchen in murder plot