CNN Panel Guest Directs Shocking Racist Attack on Mehdi Hasan: “I Hope Your Beeper Doesn’t Go Off”

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As a long-time observer and critic of political discourse, I’ve seen my fair share of heated exchanges, but the incident that unfolded on CNN’s NewsNight on Monday was truly appalling. The racist and Islamophobic attack by Ryan Girdusky against Mehdi Hasan was not just a regrettable lapse in judgment – it was a deliberate, hateful act that has no place in any civilized society, let alone a reputable news network.

On a chaotic Monday night, my gaming world of NewsNight turned sour as Ryan Girdusky, a supporter of Donald Trump, launched a vile and hate-filled verbal assault against Mehdi Hasan, a fellow panelist. His racist and Islamophobic remarks were not just shocking, but also deeply disturbing.

At a debate regarding Trump’s controversial rally at Madison Square Garden, where several speakers made offensive remarks targeting Black people, Palestinians, Latinos, and especially Puerto Ricans, the conversation grew tense. Hasan, who is supportive of Palestinians, expressed his frustration over being falsely accused of antisemitism without justification.

Later on, Girdusky commented, “I hope your pager doesn’t unexpectedly activate.” This remark was a veiled reference to the recent instances of indiscriminate pager bombings by Israel in Lebanon, which resulted in the deaths of at least 42 people, among whom were at least 12 civilians, and injured over 3,000 others.

Upon noticing the implicitly racist remark from Girdusky, Hasan and the other attendees swiftly confronted him about it. Hasan inquired if Girdusky was suggesting that he, Hasan, should perish, saying, “Did you really imply I should die? Did you say I should be murdered live on CNN?” This left Hasan quite bewildered.

In a statement, CNN clearly stated that there is no tolerance for racism, bigotry, disrespect, or uncivil behavior within their organization or on their broadcasts. They strive to facilitate insightful discussions and debates among individuals with differing opinions to address significant matters and promote understanding. However, they will not permit guests to be belittled, nor will they tolerate a breach of civility. As such, Ryan Girdusky is not invited back to our network.

More to come…

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2024-10-29 07:24