The creators of the show Peaky Blinders slammed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) for using a clip from their show without permission in a controversial anti-gay ad. 

Creators are claiming copyright violation as DeSantis used a scene with Cillian Murphy‘s character Tommy Shelby without a license. 

Peaky Blinders released a statement on their Twitter account writing, “On behalf of the partners of Peaky Blinders – Steven Knight, Cillian Murphy, Caryn Mandabach Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions and Banijay Rights – we confirm the footage of Tommy Shelby’s character used within the video posted by Ron DeSantis’ campaign was obtained without permission or official license. We do not support nor endorse the video’s narrative and strongly disapprove of the use of the content in this manner.” 

DeSantis’s video was shared on Twitter by the “DeSantis War Room” and was meant to be an attack on his opponent Donald Trump. The post was captioned, “To wrap up ‘Pride Month,’ let’s hear from the politician who did more than any other Republican to celebrate it…” 

The video criticized Trump’s support of the LGBTQ community and featured DeSantis signing anti-LGBTQ bills. 

The video has two parts, the first one being clips and photos of Trump where he promised the LGBTQ community to uphold their rights. Trans celebrities are referred to as well, including Caitlyn Jenner.

The second part of the video feature DeSantis with the music changing to a thumping beat. It utilizes shots from other movies, including American Psycho and The Wolf of Wall Street.

The ad shows quick clips of Shelby, who is the boss of a British crime family in the 1920s, including one where he is smoking a cigarette.

It features pictures of “shirtless bodybuilders” right after clips of DeSantis are shown, trying to make the image of DeSantis synonymous with strong men. 

The video has already received a great deal of criticism, including from Pete Buttigieg, who is the first openly gay transportation secretary. He blasted DeSantis for attempting to prove his manliness by belittling the LGBTQ community. 

Christina Pushaw, the DeSantis director of rapid response, defended her team’s video stating, “Opposing the federal recognition of “Pride Month” isn’t “homophobic.” We wouldn’t support a month to celebrate straight people for sexual orientation, either… It’s unnecessary, divisive, pandering. In a country as vast and diverse as the USA, identity politics is poison.”

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