CNN Bans Panel Member After Comment

By
Rachel Stevenson
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It’s the end of an era over at MSNBC, with Mehdi Hasan officially parting ways after the network decided to cut back his presence. Now, the timing isn’t lost on anyone—especially Hasan, who all but threw his hands up, refusing to play the part of a benched analyst during what’s bound to be a heated election year. The decision to pull his weekend show and Peacock program left him in limbo, barely appearing on air since the announcement. And for a firebrand like Hasan, this was clearly a mismatch waiting to happen.

In classic MSNBC style, they kept Hasan around as an “on-camera analyst,” possibly hoping he’d settle for sporadic appearances here and there. However, a network insider admitted there was “no real plan” for him once they canceled his show. Hasan, who’s made a name for himself as an unapologetic progressive, decided it was time to go. And he let viewers in on his decision, remarking about the looming 2024 election, conflicts overseas, and the ongoing saga of Trump’s legal battles before bidding his farewell.

Supporters and colleagues rushed to social media to lament Hasan’s departure. Marc Lamont Hill took it further, hinting that MSNBC’s axing of Hasan might be tied to his bold criticisms of Israel—an echo of Tiffany Cross’s swift departure last year. Hill’s implication? If you’re not toeing the line, you’re out, at least at MSNBC.

But no sooner had Hasan exited MSNBC than he landed on CNN. It didn’t take long for sparks to fly. During a panel with conservative Ryan Girdusky, things got heated, fast. Girdusky, well-known for calling out liberal biases, took issue with the media’s tendency to throw around terms like “fascist” and “Nazi” against anyone even loosely associated with Trump rallies.

Hasan, defending the accusations, quipped that avoiding Nazi comparisons was a simple matter of steering clear of inflammatory rhetoric. It led to a fiery exchange, with Girdusky reminding Hasan of his own reputation, and things took an awkward turn when he made a less-than-PC joke. Naturally, CNN was quick to release Girdusky, proving once again that humor with an edge is a one-way ticket out of liberal media.

“My problem is, I get it, nobody wants to be called Nazis. It’s very inflammatory,” Hasan said, adding, “if you don’t want to be called Nazis, stop” hurling rhetoric.

Girdusky shot back toward Hasan: “You’ve been called an antisemite more than anyone at this table,” to which Hasan said, “By people like you … I’m in support of the Palestinians, I’m used to it.”

Girdusky rejected that he had ever called Hasan an antisemite, adding: “Yeah, well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off.”

CNN released a statement after the incident, saying there “is zero room for racism or bigotry” on their air and that Girdusky “will not be welcomed back at our network.”

There’s the double standard of CNN. For all his bluster, Hasan has a knack for controversial statements himself, some of which have resurfaced from over a decade ago. While MSNBC seemed to tolerate these past remarks when they brought him on, many wonder how long other networks will keep up appearances.

It’s been an odd season for cable news—a line-up of loud voices suddenly facing the chopping block or moving networks. Maybe it’s MSNBC’s attempt to course-correct, hoping to avoid another outcry from those on the left who’ve felt sidelined by mainstream media. Whatever the case, Hasan’s exit from MSNBC and rocky CNN debut are just the latest in a long line of shake-ups that reflect a growing rift in cable news.

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