Nick Cannon has been fired by ViacomCBS after the host “promoted hateful speech and spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories,” according to the media giant.
“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism,” ViacomCBS said in a statement. “While we support ongoing education and dialogue in the fight against bigotry, we are deeply troubled that Nick has failed to acknowledge or apologise for perpetuating anti-Semitism, and we are terminating 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 assertion that Jews are “wicked”
“I’m hated now because I told the truth,” Griff, who left Public Enemy in 1989 upon making the comment, told Cannon during the “Cannon’s Class” podcast late last month.
“You’re speaking facts,” Cannon said.
“Semitic people are black people” Cannon, an African American, later added. “You can’t be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people.”
Cannon has been a fixture at ViacomCBS for more than two decades, hosting an array of programs over the years.
The 39-year-old was also named chairman of TeenNick, a spinoff of Nickelodeon, in 2009.
Cannon tweeted to his more than 4.7 million followers that he did not have “malice intentions” with his remarks.
“Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions,” he wrote. “I do not condone hate speech nor the spread of hateful rhetoric. We are living in a time when it is more important than ever to promote unity and understanding.”