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Nov. 5, 2018 / 4:43 PM GMT
By Claire Atkinson
NBC and Fox News said on Monday morning that they would no longer air an immigration ad from President Donald Trump that has been widely derided as racially divisive.
“After further review, we recognize the insensitive nature of the ad and have decided to cease airing it across our properties as soon as possible,” said Joe Benarroch, a spokesperson for NBC’s advertising sales department.
NBC came under fire for airing the commercial during its Sunday NFL coverage of a game between the New England Patriots and the Green Bay Packers.
The decision to run the ad quickly drew criticism on social media, including from actress Debra Messing, who stars in the NBC comedy “Will and Grace.”
“I want you to know that I am ashamed that my network aired this disgusting racist ad,” Messing tweeted. “It is the antithesis of everything I personally believe in, and what, I believe, our show is all about.”
The ad aired 18 times across multiple networks including Fox News and Fox Business Network, according to advertising tracking firm iSpotTV, which noted it also aired on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” on Monday morning.
Shortly after NBC made its announcement, Fox News said it had decided on Sunday to stop showing the ad.
“Upon further review, Fox News pulled the ad yesterday and it will not appear on either Fox News Channel or Fox Business Network,” Marianne Gambelli, president of ad sales for Fox News, said in an emailed statement.
CNN had declined to air the commercial.
“CNN has made it abundantly clear in its editorial coverage that this ad is racist,” CNN’s media relations Twitter account responded in a tweet to Donald Trump Jr., who said CNN refused to air the ad. “When presented with an opportunity to be paid to take a version of this ad, we declined. Those are the facts.”
The ad centered around an undocumented immigrant who was convicted of the murder of two law enforcement officials in California. Critics said it was designed to stir up anger at immigrants ahead of Election Day.