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CloseRead moreCloseCNN has announced that it will no longer be removing author Ryan Gardusky after he made comments during a chaotic and moody panel discussion that made it seem as though he wished Muslim journalists would be blown up in a bomb attack. announced that he would be canceling his appearance.
“There is no place for racism or bigotry on CNN or on our network,” the network said in a statement. “We aim to foster thoughtful conversation and debate, even among people with deeply different views, to explore important issues and foster mutual understanding.
“However, we will not tolerate degrading our guests or crossing the line of decorum, and Mr. Ryan Gardusky will not be welcome back on our network.”
The Independent has contacted Mr Gardusky for comment.
The incident began during a panel discussion Monday, in which Gardusky and fellow panelist Mehdi Hasan discussed Donald Trump’s recent rally at Madison Square Garden and the Trump campaign’s promotion of Nazi-style ideology. It started when they were discussing accusations that they were
Mr. Gardasky began commenting on labels and how Mr. Hassan, an outspoken supporter of Palestinian rights, is often branded an anti-Semite by his opponents.
Hasan, editor-in-chief of the news site Zeteo, said he was used to the attacks, given his vocal support for the Palestinians.
CNN announces it will no longer cover Ryan Gardusky after heated exchange with Mehdi Hasan (CNN)
“Well, I hope the buzzer doesn’t go off,” Gardusky said.
Judging from the context, this comment comes after a massive explosion of pagers and walkie-talkies belonging to alleged Hezbollah members last month killed 37 people and injured thousands, many of them civilians. It seems to be mentioned. Lebanese authorities have blamed the attack on Israel, which denies responsibility for the explosion.
“Didn’t I just tell you to die?” replied Hasan.
The Independent has contacted Zeteo for comment. In X, Hasan reposted the condemnation of the CNN comment.
In a heated exchange that followed, Mr. Hasan accused Mr. Gardusky of inciting violence against him and that he had allowed CNN to suggest to a panelist that “we should blow up a Muslim guy.” suggested.
During the broadcast, Mr. Gardusky claimed that he made the remark after he thought Mr. Hasan had said that he supported Hamas.
“You wouldn’t have thought I said Hamas,” Hasan said. “I said I’m a supporter of Palestinian rights. At least have the courage to stand by your racist comments,” he added.
After the show returned from a commercial break without Gardusky or Hasan appearing, host Abbey Phillippe apologized to Hassan and viewers, calling the comments “totally unacceptable.”
“When we start this discussion, you’ll find that Ryan isn’t at the table,” she said. “There’s a line that was crossed, and that’s unacceptable to me. It’s unacceptable to us at this network.”
“We can have conversations about what’s going on in this country without resorting to the lowest kind of discourse,” she said.
Other accusations followed.
“CNN has played a central role in normalizing this kind of blatant anti-Arab, anti-Muslim, anti-Palestinian hatred, and unfortunately, such disgusting statements are now being made on its network. It’s sad and not at all surprising to see it so casually broadcast,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib. A Muslim and Palestinian-American, he wrote to X:
