During a CNN News Night broadcast yesterday a discussion about Donald Trumpʼs Madison Square Garden event turned into an on-air incident (that led to immediate action by the network)
The show featured Ryan Girdusky and Mehdi Hasan discussing Trumpʼs rally where speakers made controversial statements: notably calling Puerto Rico a floating-island of garbage. Tim Walz and Hillary Clinton had drawn comparisons between the event and a 1930s gathering at the same place
Did you just say I should die? Did you just say I should be killed live on CNN?
The situation got heated when Girdusky made an insensitive reference to recent events involving exploding pagers; causing immediate backlash from other panel members. Host Abby Phillip took quick action — removing him during commercial break
There is a line that is crossed there‚ and itʼs not acceptable to me‚ it is not acceptable to us at this network
After the incident‚ Girdusky posted on X platform saying that making jokes wasnt allowed on CNN; but calling republicans nazis was fine. The network has confirmed they wont invite him back for future appearances