ViacomCBS announced on July 14 that it is ceasing its relationship with actor Nick Cannon for spreading “anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.”
In its statement, Viacom said they had spoken with Cannon about an episode of his podcast “Cannon’s Class” that “promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.
“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 statement read.
INBOX: ViacomCBS terminates relationship with Nick Cannon after he refuses to apologize or acknowledge wrongdoing by spreading blatantly anti-Semitic conspiracy theories pic.twitter.com/BD94qu5jws
— Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) July 15, 2020
Cannon had hosted the show “Wild N’Out” on MTV and VH1; Viacom owns both networks.
Jewish groups praised Viacom for dropping Cannon.
“Good for @ViacomCBS for holding Nick Cannon accountable for not apologizing or retracting his anti-Semitic statements,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “Our airwaves — just like the internet — must be #noplaceforhate.”
Good for @ViacomCBS for holding Nick Cannon accountable for not apologizing or retracting his antisemitic statements. Our airwaves — just like the internet — must be #noplaceforhate. https://t.co/JBwTd6LYCT
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 15, 2020
The American Jewish Committee similarly tweeted, “Bravo, @ViacomCBS, for taking a stand against all hate and for treating anti-Semitism with the seriousness that you treat other forms of bigotry. We cannot be selective in our condemnation of hate!”
Bravo, @ViacomCBS, for taking a stand against all hate and for treating antisemitism with the seriousness that you treat other forms of bigotry.
We cannot be selective in our condemnation of hate!https://t.co/TW1Fju8qoG
— American Jewish Committee (@AJCGlobal) July 15, 2020
Former Democratic New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who also heads the Americans Against Anti-Semitism watchdog, tweeted, “Thank you @ViacomCBS for doing the right thing! Now @FOXTV, it’s your turn to take appropriate action!”
Thank you @ViacomCBS for doing the right thing!
Now @FOXTV, it’s your turn to take appropriate action!https://t.co/VjEtULX6wh
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) July 15, 2020
The Stop Anti-Semitism.org watchdog similarly tweeted, “#NickCannon IS #cancelled … we’re waiting @FOXTV.”
#NickCannon IS #cancelled … we're waiting @FOXTV pic.twitter.com/lwODQJqiUY
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) July 15, 2020
Cannon, who also hosts “The Masked Singer” on Fox, responded to Viacom’s decision in a July 15 Facebook post.
“I am deeply saddened in a moment so close to reconciliation that the powers that be, misused an important moment for us to all grow closer together and learn more about one another,” Cannon wrote. “Instead the moment was stolen and highjacked to make an example of an outspoken black man. I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation.”
He did issue an apology to the Jewish community and said he would be going to Israel.
“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,” Cannon wrote.
https://www.facebook.com/NickCannon/posts/4326941627323521
The actor has come under fire over a 2019 video that went viral over the weekend where he said that people are “giving too much power to the ‘they’ — and then the ‘they’ turns into the Illuminati, the Zionists, the Rothschilds.” He also called Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan’s speeches “powerful” and “uplifting” and lamented that “for whatever reason, [Farrakhan’s] been demonized.”
On July 13, Cannon issued a series of tweets stating that he was not a hateful person and the Black and Jewish communities should work together against racism and anti-Semitism.
“I hold myself accountable for this moment and take full responsibility because My intentions are only to show that as a beautiful human species we have way more commonalities than differences,” he wrote.
However, he told the business magazine Fast Company later in the day that he doesn’t think apologies are productive.
“Are you forcing me to say the words ‘I’m sorry’?” he said. “Are you making me bow down, ’cause then again, that would be perpetuating that same rhetoric that we’re trying to get away from.”
He added, “What we need is healing. What we need is discussion.”
Regarding his praise for Farrakhan, Cannon said, “I can’t be responsible for however long Minister Farrakhan has been ministering and things that he said, That is his voice and his fight. I can only be held accountable for what I’ve seen and what I’ve heard.”
This article has been updated.
