CNN bans panelist Ryan Girdusky after 'unacceptable' comment ...

Monday night's conversation on CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip" escalated when conservative panelist Ryan Girdusky criticized Muslim journalist Mehdi Hasan with a comment that got him banned from the network.

During an exchange discussing controversial comments made at Donald Trump's Madison Square Garden rally, in which the panelists were discussing people of different political leanings being labeled "Nazis" and "anti-Semites," Hasan said he was "used to" the latter label because of his "support of the Palestinians." Hasan is the founder of Zeteo News.

Girdusky responded by telling Hasan: "Well, I hope your beeper doesn't go off," with the other panelists expressing shock and Hasan responding: "Did you just say I should die?"

Girdusky and Hasan then went back and forth, with the conservative panelist eventually apologizing and saying he thought the Zeteo News founder said "Hamas."

Phillip told Girdusky that his comment was "out of pocket." After the show went to a commercial break, the host addressed the exchange and apologized to Hasan "for what was said at this table," calling the comments "completely unacceptable."

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"We want people who disagree with each other to talk to each other. But when you cross the line of a complete lack of civility, that is not going to happen here on this show," she said. "It's a heated time. We're in the middle of a political season. We are eight days from a presidential election, but we can have conversations about what is happening in this country without resorting to the lowest of the lowest kind of discourse."

She shared a statement from CNN on her X account later Monday night, which was also shared with USA TODAY Tuesday.

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"There is zero room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our air," read the statement. "We aim to foster thoughtful conversations 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."

She also shared a video discussing the situation, adding that Girdusky was "asked to leave the show" and clarified that the show "did not ask" Hasan to leave and wanted him to stay. "We really hope he will join us again soon," she said.

Girdusky responded to the situation on X hours later, calling his remark to Hasan "a joke" and attacking the network.

"Apparently you can't go on CNN if you make a joke. I'm glad America gets to see what CNN stands for," he said.