CNN guest thrown off air after telling Muslim journalist ‘I hope your beeper doesn’t go off’

A writer has been banned for life from CNN after telling a British Muslim journalist he hoped his ‘beeper doesn’t go off’.

Writer Ryan Girdusky made the comment during a panel discussion which featured journalist and author Mehdi Hasan.

The chat got heated during a discussion about labelling people anti-Semitic, to which Mr Hasan, editor-in-chief of news site Zeteo, said: ‘I’m in support of the Palestinians so I get that a lot.’

Girdusky replied: ‘Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.’

The jab appeared to reference the Israeli attack in September which saw thousands of pagers and walkie talkies detonate in Lebanon, injuring 3,000 and killing dozens.

The panelists were shocked, with multiple members of the discussion chiming in as the anchor tried to calm things down.

Mehdi Hasan (left) deemed Ryan Girdusky’s (right) jab as ‘racist and violent’ (Picture: CNN)

‘Are you a racist, violent person inciting violence against me?’ Mr Hasan asked.

Girdusky said, ‘I apologise then,’ before adding he thought Mr Hasan said ‘Hamas’.

‘You didn’t think I said Hamas. I said I’m a supporter of Palestinian rights,’ Mr Hasan said. ‘At least have the guts to support your racist comment.’

After the heated exchange, Girdusky doubled down on his comment, writing on Twitter: ‘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.’

In a statement, CNN condemned the exchange, writing: ‘There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air.

‘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.’

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