Nick Cannon was dropped Tuesday by ViacomCBS for making anti-Semitic comments on a recent episode of his podcast. Hours later, the Wild ‘N Out host fired back at the media giant over what he called “empty promises.”
ViacomCBS — which is parent company to VH1, MTV, BET Networks, Nickelodeon and CBS — said it is ending a decades-long relationship with Cannon after he refused to apologize for an episode of “Cannon’s Class” that “promoted hateful speech.”
“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” a company spokesperson said in a statement to the media. “We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.”
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The statement continued, “While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologize for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating our relationship with him.”
The video was posted to YouTube on June 30, but has since been removed for “hate speech.”
The clip featured Cannon interviewing Public Enemy member Richard “Professor Griff” Griffin, as the two discussed race and racism. Griff was kicked out of Public Enemy in 1989, after he made anti-Semitic comments, but later rejoined the group, according to the New York Times.
Cannon praised the ideas of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and said people who have “the lack of pigment” are “a little less” than those who do, and have “a lack of compassion.” He also discussed conspiracy theories about “the bloodlines that control everything, even outside of America.” He stated that Black people are the “true Hebrews.”
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In a Facebook message posted on Wednesday morning, Cannon wrote, “I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right.”
He then blasted ViacomCBS in the lengthy post.
“I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multi-tiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise,” Cannon continued. “Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me. For Viacom to be so deceptive is no surprise; they have been mistreating and robbing our community for years, underpaying talent on their biggest brands like Love & Hip Hop, all of BET programming and of course, Wild ‘N Out.”
Later in the post, The Masked Singer host wrote, “If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize. But now I am the one making demands. I demand full ownership of my billion dollar Wild ‘N Out brand that I created, and they will continue to misuse and destroy without my leadership! I demand that the hate and back door bullying cease and while we are at it, now that the truth is out, I demand the Apology!”
Read Nick Cannon’s full post below.
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