After a two-decade partnership that resulted in several successful TV series, ViacomCBS and Nick Cannon have ended their relationship. In a statement made by the media conglomerate this week, ViacomCBS confirmed it had terminated Cannon’s role within the company after a recent episode of the actor-host Cannon's Class podcast included anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.“ViacomCBS condemns bigotry of any kind, and we categorically denounce all forms of anti-Semitism. 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,” reads the statement, released to Us Weekly.“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. We are committed to doing better in our response to incidents of anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry. ViacomCBS will have further announcements on our efforts to combat hate of all kinds.”

The Interview

The episode of Cannon’s Class in question involves on an interview with former Public Enemy member Professor Griff. The American rapper was fired from the group in 1989 after making anti-Semitic comments during an interview with The Washington Times. Cannon and Griff’s interview was filmed last year but only made public on June 30.In the video, Professor Griff talks about the 1989 interview in which he made the statement, “Jews are responsible for the majority of wickedness that goes on across the globe,” and the backlash which resulted in his termination from Public Enemy. As he retells the details of the situation, Cannon appears to co-sign the beliefs expressed in that interview, reiterating on multiple occasions, “You’re speaking facts.”Cannon makes several controversial claims of his own as well, including discussing anti-Semitic conspiracy theories around the Rothschild banking family, and “the 13 families, the bloodlines that control everything even outside of America.” Cannon continues, “Semitic people are Black people. You can't be anti-Semitic when we are the Semitic people," referring to the fact that Black people also originated from cultures which spoke the Semitic languages of Hebrew and Arabic.Cannon also talked about controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and voiced his dismay over Farrakhan being silenced on social media, referencing a 2018 video of Farrakhan comparing Jews to termites, which was removed from Facebook. Farrakhan, who has made several anti-Semitic and homophobic comments in the past, was recently praised by celebrities in addition to Cannon, including Chelsea Handler, Jessica Chastain and Jameela Jamil, who shared a 1990 video clip of the leader. Jamil later removed her post.[video_embed id='1995504']WATCH: Nick Cannon fired for anti-Semitic remarks[/video_embed]

The Aftermath/Twitter Responses

Cannon has made several statements since ViacomCBS announced his termination, including an interview with Fast Company and a series of tweets released on July 14. In the first set, Cannon said “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.”The actor continued, tweeting, “The Black and Jewish communities have both faced enormous hatred, oppression persecution and prejudice for thousands of years and in many ways have and will continue to work together to overcome these obstacles.” Calling out the need for more "uncomfortable conversations" and adding that he is continuing to educate himself, Cannon added “I hold myself accountable for this moment and take full responsibility because my intentions are only to show that as a beautiful human species we have way more commonalities than differences, So let’s embrace those as well as each other. We All Family!”

'Truth and Reconciliation'

On July 15, Cannon released a longer statement on Facebook entitled "Truth and Reconciliation." Cannon thanks, by name, specific mentors at the company but expresses his disappointment with the organization as a whole for using the moment to "make an example of an outspoken black man," adding "I will not be bullied, silenced, or continuously oppressed by any organization, group, or corporation." He continued on to reveal he’s demanding the rights to Wild ‘N Out and wants an apology from ViacomCBS, who he says is on the wrong side of history."I created a billion-dollar brand that expanded across a multitiered empire that is still Viacom’s biggest digital brand, touring business, talent discovery and incubation system and successful restaurant franchise," he wrote. "Based on trust and empty promises, my ownership was swindled away from me." After a breakdown of his successful decades-long career at the company, Cannon said he had been receiving death threats since the company's announcement as well as an "outpouring of love" from the Jewish community.“In a pleasant turn of events and the best blessing in all of this hurtful attack is the outpouring of love and support from the Jewish community. It has been amazing,” wrote Cannon, who name checks his Jewish business partner and friend Michael Goldman and reveals that he’s recently been invited to visit Israel. “I have spoken with many Rabbis, clergy, Professors and coworkers who offer their sincere help. I must apologize to my Jewish Brothers and Sisters for putting them in such a painful position, which was never my intention, but I know this whole situation has hurt many people and together we will make it right. I have dedicated my daily efforts to continuing conversations to bring the Jewish Community and the African American community closer together, embracing our differences and sharing our commonalities.”Cannon ends his message with an apology, saying “Systemic racism is what this world was built on and was the subject in which I was attempting to highlight in the recent clips that have been circulating from my podcast. If I have furthered the hate speech, I wholeheartedly apologize.”News of Cannon’s firing comes just days after Twitter users co-opted the anti-Semitic hashtag #JewishPrivilege, which has been used by hate groups to perpetrate the conspiracy theory that Jewish people control finance and politics and are responsible for the suffering of poor people in America. Comedian Sarah Silverman, actors Josh Gad and Tracy-Ann Oberman and more used the hashtag to instead share their harrowing experiences with anti-Semitism.

Update: Full Apology

After a day of backlash, Nick Cannon took to Twitter again, this time to acknowledge the pain inflicted by his words and references in the Cannon's Class episode. "I extend my deepest and most sincere apologies to my Jewish sisters and brothers for the hurtful and divisive words that came out of my mouth during my interview with Richard Griffin,"  he wrote, thanking the "Rabbis, community leaders and institutions who reached out to me to help enlighten me, instead of chastising me." Cannon also explained he believed the anti-Semitic conspiracy theories he cited to be arguments in support of the Black community, but he has since been educated on their true origin in hatred against the Jewish community. The video of the interview has been removed from YouTube.[video_embed id='1973107']BEFORE YOU GO: Michael B. Jordan wants Hollywood to 'commit to Black hiring' [/video_embed]