Disney will no longer run ads on Fox News host Tucker Carlson's show following his anti-Black Lives Matter comments.
Carlson, who hosts Tucker Carlson Tonight, made the controversial comments on his June 8 show. "This may be a lot of things, this moment we’re living through, but it is definitely not about black lives," he said on the first day of George Floyd's memorial in Houston. "Remember that when they come for you, and at this rate, they will." A Fox News spokesperson later clarified that the "they" Carlson was referring to were Democrats and local politicians, not Black Lives Matter activists.
He also told his viewers that they did not have to be upset about Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer.
According to Deadline, Disney and T-Mobile have cut ties with the host over his comments after receiving backlash for their association with the program. While ads for shows that air on the Disney-owned network ABC were recently broadcast, the House of Mouse stated that the advertisements were placed in error by third parties and that they will not be seen on the show again. "The ABC advertisements were placed on the show without our knowledge by third party media buyers who were unaware that we do not advertise on the show, and they have now been notified not to place any further ads," an ABC spokesperson said.
Disney has been a vocal supporter of the current Black Lives Matter moment. It stood with Star Wars star John Boyega after his passionate speech at a protest in London and made a $2 million pledge to the NAACP, part of a $5 million commitment "to support nonprofit organizations that advance social justice."
Disney-owned Marvel and Star Wars also issued statements condemning racism, and Marvel issued a rebuke of those that use the Punisher's symbol for white supremacy. Finally, LucasFilm kept up a Black Lives Matter message that was found on the statue of Yoda in front of the studio's headquarters in San Francisco.
This is the latest incident involving Carlson, pop culture and the Black Lives Matter movement. The Fox News host recently went after Elmo and Sesame Street for holding a children's town hall aimed at explaining systemic racism and the protests to kids.
"It's a children's show," Carlson said on the segment. "Got that, Bobby? America is a very bad place and it's your fault. So, no matter what happens, no matter what they do to you when you grow up, you have no right to complain. That's the message and it starts very young."
