CNN panelist withdrawn from “NewsNight” after verbally attacking Mehdi Hasan “to the lowest level.”

After a commercial break, Phillip apologized to Hasan and noticed that Girdusky was no longer at the table.

“A line has been crossed that is not acceptable to me,” Phillip said. “This is unacceptable for us in this network. We want discussion. We want people who have different opinions to talk to each other. But if you cross the line into a complete lack of civility, that's not going to happen here on this show. It's a heated time. We are in the middle of a political season. We're still eight days away from a presidential election, but we can have conversations about what's happening in this country without resorting to the lowest discourse. I want to address that and apologize to the viewers at home because we want to hear each other, we want to talk to each other.”

Hasan was an anchor for MSNBC when he left earlier this year. He then founded his own media company Zeteo.

CNN issued a statement saying Girdusky was not welcome back to the network.

The broadcaster said: “There is no room for racism or bigotry at CNN or on our show.” Our goal is to promote thoughtful conversations and debates, including between people who deeply disagree, to explore important issues and that to promote mutual understanding. But we will not allow guests to be humiliated or the limits of politeness to be crossed.”