A tense discussion about CNN Newsnight with Abby Phillip Monday night (October 28) ended with pro-Trump panelist Ryan Girdusky being kicked off the set and banned from the network.

The situation arose during a discussion about Donald Trumpduring the Madison Square Garden rally, Sunday, October 17. According to VarietyGirdusky told journalist and former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, “I hope your pager doesn’t go off,” referring to recent Israeli attacks on the terrorist group Hezbollah in which explosives were detonated in pagers.

“Did you say I should die?” You just said I should be killed,” Hasan replied.

“No, no, I didn’t say that,” Girdusky replied.

Hasan turned his attention to Phillip and asked, “Did your guest just say that I should be killed on live television?”

Phillip chastised Girdusky, calling his comment “disgusting.”

Every day we think we may have hit rock bottom, and every day we have proof that we are wrong.

Girdusky just told Mehdi Hasan live on television: “I hope your beep doesn’t ring” pic.twitter.com/z9NK9Fs4T8

– Trita Parsi (@tparsi) October 29, 2024

After Hasan said CNN just had someone on the air “saying the Muslim should blow up,” Girdusky responded, “Then I apologize.” I focused on Hamas, I apologize for that.

“I do not support Hamas, I support the rights of the Palestinians,” Hasan clarified. “Forget racism, it’s ‘I should die.’ What does the beep mean? What did you mean by the beep? At least have the courage to stand by your racist comment.

Former Biden-Harris campaign staffer Ashley Allison, who was also a guest on the panel, refused to accept Girdusky’s apology. “I appreciate the apology, but I don’t want a conditional apology for saying something that is completely not civil,” she said.

After the show returned from a commercial break, Girdusky had been removed from the set. Phillip then issued his own apology to Hasan and the viewers at home.

“I would like to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable when we start this discussion, you will see that Ryan is not at the table,” Phillip said. “There’s a line that’s been crossed there, and it’s not acceptable to me. This is not acceptable to us on this network.

“We want a debate. We want people who disagree to talk to each other,” she continued. “But when you cross the line into a complete lack of civility, that’s not going to happen here on this show. It’s a hot time. We’re in the middle of a political season. We’re eight days away from a presidential election, but we can have conversations about what’s happening in this country without resorting to the lowest rhetoric.”

Following the segment, CNN released a statement confirming that Girdusky had been banned from future appearances on the network.

Sharing @CNN‘s statement and a little message from me about what happened on tonight’s show.

I take this very seriously and would like to apologize again to @mehdirhasan and I hope he will join us another time. pic.twitter.com/O9l0Ftv5NZ

– Abby D. Phillip (@abbydphillip) October 29, 2024

“There is no place for racism or intolerance on CNN or on our airwaves. We aim to foster thoughtful conversations and debate, including between people who deeply disagree with each other, to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding,” the statement said. “But we will not allow guests to be humiliated or the line of civility to be crossed. Ryan Girdusky will not be welcome in our network.

Girdusky responded to the situation onwriting: “You can stay on CNN if you falsely call all Republicans Nazis and have received money from Qatar-funded media. Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America can see what CNN stands for.