CNN has cut ties with conservative commentator Ryan Girdusky after he made a disturbing comment to journalist Mehdi Hasan during a heated exchange about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on CNN Newsnight.
After Hasan said that he supports Palestinians, Girdusky responded, "I hope your beeper doesn't go off" referring to Israel's beeper attacks on Hezbollah members in Lebanon.
"Did you just say I should die?" Hasan immediately asked.
Although Girdusky apologised, CNN removed him from the studio during a commercial break. Abby Phillip, the host, addressed the incident on air, stating, "A line was crossed there, and it's not acceptable to me. We can have conversations about what's happening in this country without resorting to the lowest form of discourse."
After the broadcast, CNN released this statement, "There is no place for racism and narrow-mindedness in our broadcasts. While we encourage diverse viewpoints and substantive disagreement, we will not allow guests to cross the line of civility."
They also confirmed Girdusky would no longer be invited to appear on their network.
Following his removal, Girdusky took to social media to criticize CNN's decision: "You can stay at CNN if you wrongly call every Republican a Nazi, and receive money from Qatar-funded media. But apparently you can't appear on CNN if you tell a joke."