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“CNN NewsNight” host Abby Phillip discussed on “The Breakfast Club” Tuesday how much power she has to influence the debate on her nightly show. CNN notably fired conservative commentator Ryan James Girdusky in October 2024 after a heated exchange on Phillip’s show where he made comments that the host called intolerable. Phillip said on the popular radio show that she strives to run her show like a mother who only exercises her authority when necessary so her guests know when they need to cut out their behavior. (RELATED: Scott Jennings Explains Why ‘No Kings’ Protesters In ‘Crazy Cat Costumes’ Completely Wasted Their Weekend) “[I]t’s my show. And I can draw the lines when I need to draw the lines. And if you watch … you’ve seen the times when I’ve had to draw some lines at the table,” Phillip said. “And I don’t do it that often because I want it to be not that common — because when I do, it’s like when your mom really tells you it’s time to stop.” “That’s kind of how I want it to be, where it’s not like that happens all the time, but you know that when I’ve reached my limit, it’s the end. That’s the limit,” she continued. “And because I’m the host, I can draw those lines around the kind of conduct that I will accept at the table. And I have control over who shows up and who doesn’t.” After former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan defended calling President Donald Trump’s supporters Nazis and stressed his backing of Palestinians Girdusky said, “Well, I hope your beeper doesn’t go off,” referring to an Israeli operation that targeted Hezbollah. Girdusky repeatedly apologized for the comment, asserting he thought Hasan had mentioned Hamas. Girdusky was removed from the panel and Phillip subsequently addressed the exchange on-air following a commercial break. “I want to apologize to Mehdi Hasan for what was said at this table. It was completely unacceptable. When we get this discussion started, you’ll see that Ryan is not at the table,” Phillip said. “There is a line that was crossed there and it’s not acceptable to me, it’s not acceptable to us at this network. We want discussion, 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.” All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact licensing@dailycallernewsfoundation.org.
