“You can stay on CNN if you falsely call all Republicans Nazis and have received money from Qatar-funded media,” he said in an article on X (Where Else? ). “Apparently you can’t go on CNN if you make a joke. I’m glad America can see what CNN stands for.

Me too. Because, in this case, that meant doing the right thing — refusing to let a partisan hack try to intimidate another guest with racist threats just to score points with Trump’s base. However, inadvertently, Girdusky also showed American what he stands for.

Opposing opinions matter, on TV news and everywhere else. But while civility is reduced to a core due to increasingly racist and bigoted behavior, from Trump on down, there must be consequences for actions. Otherwise, bullies will do as they please. If calling someone a terrorist doesn’t raise alarms, what will?

Girdusky’s comments were shocking, but not surprising

That said, if you invite someone like Girdusky onto your airwaves, isn’t it just a matter of time before something like this happens? If you put your hand in a wolverine cage, there is a good chance you will be bitten. This doesn’t make the bite less painful, but it does make it less surprising.