LL Cool J Raps Network's Knuckles Over Palin Promo

Rapper-turned-actor LL Cool J has been removed from promotional spots for Sarah Palin’s upcoming television special, titled Real American Stories: Hosted By Sarah Palin, after the rapper-turned-actor lodged a complaint with Fox. Announcing his displeasure through his Twitter account on Wednesday, LL Cool J, real name James Todd Smith III, who currently stars in the hit CBS procedural NCIS, stated that the network “lifted an old interview that I gave in 2008” and had taken the soundbite out of context and was “misrepresenting it to the public in order to promote Sarah Palin,” the star tweeted.

In their defense, Fox Network responded with a statement maintaining that since they own the interview they neither sought, nor needed the rapper’s permission to use the footage. Fox has since removed the segment in which Smith appeared to make reference to mothers “being tough,” which evokes memories of former Governor Palin’s breakout speech at the RNC in 2008 during which she famously likened being a hockey mom to a pit-bull, with added lipstick.

Smith’s complaints come on the heels of those from country music star Toby Keith, whose own interview footage was also included in the promo and who appeared equally confused as to his perceived endorsement, with his publicist claming to the New York Times: “I have no idea what interview they are using.” Also included in the teaser was former GE CEO Jack Welch. Mr. Welch has yet to make any comment on the matter.