Nick Cannon has been fired by ViacomCBS after the host “promoted hate speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” according to the media giant.
“ViacomCBS condemns intolerance of any kind and we strongly denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” ViacomCBS said in a statement. “While we support education and ongoing dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply concerned that Nick has not acknowledged or apologized for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are ending our relationship with him.”
Cannon, the host of the popular MTV show “Wild ‘N Out,” recently agreed with former Public Enemy rapper Professor Griff’s claim that Jews are “wicked”
“Now they hate me because I told the truth,” Griff, who left Public Enemy in 1989 when making the comment, told Cannon during the “Cannon’s Class” podcast late last month.
“You are talking about facts,” Cannon said.
“Semitic people are black people,” added Cannon, an African American, later. “You cannot be anti-Semitic when we are Semitic people.”
Cannon has been a fixture on ViacomCBS for more than two decades, and has hosted a variety of shows over the years.
The 39-year-old was also named president of TeenNick, a Nickelodeon spin-off, in 2009.
Cannon tweeted to his more than 4.7 million followers that he had “no malicious intent” with his comments.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hatred in my heart or malicious intent,” he wrote. “I do not condone hate speech or the spread of hate rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding.”
Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hatred in my heart or malicious intent. I do not approve of hate speech or dissemination of hate rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding.
– Nick Cannon (@NickCannon) July 13, 2020
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