Carlos Barria / Reuters
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.
Facebook also took action on Monday, blocking the ad from getting promoted through the company’s paid distribution network, though it allowed the ad to remain on Trump’s verified Facebook page, where it has been viewed more than one million times.
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.
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SOURCE: NBC News, Claire Atkinson
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