Nick Cannon Fired From ViacomCBS For Anti-Semitic Podcast Remarks

Nick Cannon was fired on Tuesday from ViacomCBS for making anti-Semitic comments during a recent podcast episode. During the podcast, Cannon discussed conspiracy theories about Jewish people and also praised a minister known for making anti-Jewish remarks.

Cannon was prominently featured on ViacomCBS’s channels MTV and TeenNick for years. He had also worked as an executive producer and chairman of TeenNick and had been a host and executive producer of Wild ’N Out, a comedy show on MTV.

A spokesperson for ViacomCBS said in a statement, “We have spoken with Nick Cannon about an episode of his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’ on YouTube, which 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.”

On Monday before he was fired, Cannon tweeted, “Anyone who knows me knows that I have no hate in my heart nor malice intentions. 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.”

During the podcast episode ViacomCBS referred to in their firing of Cannon, he was interviewing rapper Richard Griffin, also known as Professor Griff, about his dismissal from the hip-hop group Public Enemy in 1989.

Griffin was dismissed from the group after an interview with the Washington Times in which he stated, “The Jews are wicked. And we can prove this.” Griffin went on to say that the Jews were responsible for “the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe.”

During Cannon’s interview with Griffin, the rapper said, “I’m hated now because I told the truth.” Cannon responded saying, “You’re speaking facts. There’s no reason to be scared of anything when you’re speaking the truth.”

After the interview, Cannon said it was an honor to have the “legend” Griffin on his podcast and that it was a shame minster Louis Farrakhan, known for his history of anti-Semitic comments, had been silenced on Facebook.

Cannon’s dismissal by ViacomCBS came after DeSean Jackson, the star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, was fined and disciplined by the team for sharing an anti-Semitic quotation attributed to Hitler.