Mehdi Hasan Leaves CNN Panel After Offensive Comment

A conservative panelist's remark linking Hasan to Hezbollah led to his removal from the network.

Mehdi Hasan, a progressive commentator, walked off a CNN panel after Ryan Girdusky made a controversial comment implying Hasan's association with Hezbollah.
Girdusky's remark, 'I hope your beeper doesn't go off,' referenced a recent Israeli attack involving pagers used by Hezbollah, sparking outrage.
Hasan expressed his shock at the comment, describing it as one of the most stunning experiences in his 25-year journalism career.
CNN has banned Girdusky from future appearances, and anchor Abby Phillip apologized to viewers after the incident.
Hasan criticized the growing boldness of racist rhetoric in media, attributing it to the influence of figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance.