Fox issued a statement on July 16 saying that the network will retain Nick Cannon as host of the show “The Masked Singer” after he apologized for his anti-Semitic comments the night before.
The Wrap reported that the Fox statement read that Cannon has been “clear and remorseful that his words were wrong and lacked both understanding and context, and inadvertently promoted hate. This was important for us to observe. Nick has sincerely apologized, and quickly taken steps to educate himself and make amends.”
Fox added: “On that basis and given a belief that this moment calls for dialogue, we will move forward with Nick and help him advance this important conversation, broadly. Fox condemns all forms of hate directed toward any community and we will combat bigotry of any kind.”
Cannon had said in a 2019 video that Zionists and the Rothschilds have “too much power,” praised Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, and that Blacks “are the true Hebrews.”
On July 15, Cannon tweeted that he had a conversation with Associate Dean and Director of Global Social Action Agenda at the Simon Wiesenthal Center Rabbi Abraham Cooper and that he apologizes “for the hurt I caused the Jewish community.” He wrote in a Twitter thread that his comments “reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from. The video of this interview has since been removed.”
“While the Jewish experience encompasses more than 5,000 years and there is so much I have yet to learn, I have had at least a minor history lesson over the past few days and to say that it is eye-opening would be a vast understatement,” Cannon added.
I just had the blessed opportunity to converse with Rabbi Abraham Cooper director of global social action @SimonWiesenthal My first words to my brother was, I apologize for the hurt I caused the Jewish Community….
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020
They reinforced the worst stereotypes of a proud and magnificent people and I feel ashamed of the uninformed and naïve place that these words came from. The video of this interview has since been removed.
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020
While the Jewish experience encompasses more than 5,000 years and there is so much I have yet to learn, I have had at least a minor history lesson over the past few days and to say that it is eye-opening would be a vast understatement.
— Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 16, 2020
Jewish groups praised Cannon’s apology.
“An overdue, but sincere and strong apology,” Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt tweeted. “It’s a good start. Thank you @NickCannon for acknowledging your hurtful words and vowing to educate yourself on #antisemitism.”
An overdue, but sincere and strong apology. It’s a good start.
Thank you @NickCannon for acknowledging your hurtful words and vowing to educate yourself on #antisemitism. https://t.co/TZdm1yGNjC
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) July 16, 2020
StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein tweeted that Cannon’s apology was “fantastic.”
“Nick Cannon thank you for your apology,” she added. “I believe you are headed for a new journey and a more open mind towards the Jewish people.”
FANTASTIC! Nick Cannon thank you for your apology. I believe you are headed for a new journey and a more open mind towards the Jewish people. Welcome @NickCannon, as a new friend. If @standwithus can enrich your journey, please contact me! Happy to take you to #Israel! https://t.co/7zMv0O7hjA
— Roz Rothstein (@RozRothstein) July 16, 2020
Former Democratic New York Assemblyman Dov Hikind, who heads the Americans Against Anti-Semitism watchdog, tweeted that Cannon’s apology was just enough for Fox to keep employing him.
“We’re not looking to bring anyone to ruin, but we do expect real accountability,” Hikind wrote. “Time will tell if Nick truly recognizes the error of his way into anti-Semitism, or if he’s just pacifying us.”
Nick said just enough for @FOXTV to stick with him.
It’s OK, we’re not looking to bring anyone to ruin, but we do expect real accountability.
Time will tell if Nick truly recognizes the error of his way into antisemitism, or if he’s just pacifying us.👀https://t.co/CYWacPD0O3 https://t.co/HHH8szeK7Y
— Dov Hikind (@HikindDov) July 16, 2020
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