CNN bans Ryan Girdusky for ‘beeper’ joke aimed at Mehdi Hasan

CNN has banned a conservative pundit from the network after he made a joke to a lefty Muslim commentator Mehdi Hasan during a terse exchange on “CNN NewsNight with Abby Phillip.”

It began when guest panelist Ryan Girdusky pointed out that Hasan has been called an antisemite. Hasan said he was “used to” the label because he is vocal supporter of Palestinians.

“Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” Girdusky said — apparently referencing Israel’s coordinated strike on Hezbollah last month that saw thousands of pagers used by the Lebanese terrorists simultaneously explode.

The comment drew immediate rebukes from the other panelists, with Mehdi pointedly asking, “Did you just say I should die?”

Host Abby Phillip tried to rein in the panelists as the argument escalated. Medhi again accused Girdusky of threatening him, saying “Did you just say I should be killed on CNN?”

Girdusky seemed to backpedal — asking whether Medhi was saying he supported Hamas. The British-American journalist replied, “Of course” he didn’t support Hamas.

Girdusky responded, “Well, then I apologize.”

This apology only made matters worse, with Phillip and the other guests blasting Girdusky for what they called “disgusting” and “racist” remarks.

Within hours of the spectacle, CNN issued a statement denouncing Girdusky.

“There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air,” the statement reads in part, noting that the network aims to “foster thoughtful conversation and debate” between those who disagree.

“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.”

Girdusky, who has written for publications including American Conservative Magazine, took to X to slam the network for his banishment.

“You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Quatar-funded media,” he wrote in a veiled reference to Mehdi’s media startup, Zeteo, being funded by the Middle Eastern nation’s government — a claim he’s repeatedly denied.

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

Mehdi, who was born in the UK to parents who immigrated from India, has written or contributed to left-leaning outlets including Al Jazeera and MSNBC.

Last year he was accused of plagiarizing a column he wrote in favor of child-spanking over 20 years ago, and in 2019, he apologized when old blog recordings surfaced in which the commentator likened groups like non-Muslims and atheists to “cattle.”