Several advertisers have stopped running commercials on Fox News Channel’s “Tucker Carlson Tonight,” the second most popular show on cable TV, due to the eponymous host’s statements on protests over the death of a man in police custody in Minneapolis, several media outlets reported.
Disney, Papa John’s and Poshmark have stated they would not run advertising on the show, which airs at 8 p.m. EDT, and T-Mobile declared in response to a tweet from the liberal social media organization Sleeping Giants that it had not run advertising since early May and would not in the future.
Sleeping Giants’ post included a clip of Carlson decrying his statement from Monday night’s show as “extremely racist” and asking them to “reconsider your support” of the show.
On Monday night, Carlson said the Black Lives Matter protests over the death of George Floyd “may be a lot of things, this moment we’re living through, but it is definitely not about black lives. Remember that when they come for you, and at this rate, they will.”
“Tucker Carlson Tonight” drew a total of 4.8 million viewers last week, second only behind Fox News’ “Hannity,” which also drew 4.8 million and follows Carlson in FNC’s lineup at 9 p.m. “The Ingraham Angle,” which follows “Hannity” was third with 4.3 million viewers.
T-Mobile CEO Mike Sievert also responded to a tweet on the matter asking if it is the message the company supports, posting: “It is definitely not. Bye-bye Tucker. #BlackLivesMatter.”
Several regular advertisers ran commercials this week on “Carlson,” such as MyPillow, Fisher Investments and Sandals resorts, Variety reported, and those that have made public statements about leaving Carlson are moving their ads to other programs on Fox News Channel, the company said.
“All national dollars/ads were moved to other programs, and there has not been any national money lost,” a spokeswoman told The Guardian.