'A joke': GOP guest attacks CNN for booting him off show after furious on-air fight

A GOP guest booted from CNN after a bitter blow-up with a pro-Palestinian panelist hit back early Tuesday, claiming his comment that sparked a furious on-air fight was a "joke."

Republican strategist Ryan Girdusky infuriated guest Mehdi Hasan, a former MSNBC host, current editor-in-chief of Zeteo and a pro-Palestine campaigner, on the network's show "Newsnight."

He was removed from the show after quipping, "All right, well, I hope your beeper doesn't go off" as Hasan spoke about supporting Palestinians. It was a reference to an Israeli attack on Hezbollah which targeted beepers and walkie talkies.

"Are you a racist, violent person, inciting violence against me?!" said Hasan. "Good job CNN, let's have first block say the Muslim guy should be blown up on TV."

The blow-up left the panel in chaos as host Abby Phillip tried to calm the situation. After a commercial break, she said Girdusky had been asked to leave.

But Girdusky took to X in an attempt to get the last word, calling his comment, "a joke."

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"You can stay on CNN if you falsely call every Republican a Nazi and have taken money from Qatar-funded media," he said. "Apparently you can't go on CNN if you make a joke.

"I'm glad American gets to see what CNN stands for."

In a statement, CNN said, "There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air. We aim to foster thoughtful conversation and debate, including between people who profoundly disagree with each other, in order to explore important issues and promote mutual understanding. But we will not allow guests to be demeaned or for the line of civility to be crossed.

"Ryan Girdusky will not be welcomed back at our network."

See the tweets and video below or at this link.