Kanye West (48) Criticized by David Schwimmer (59) While Wireless Festival Sponsors Get Applause for Backing Out
David Schwimmer has praised several companies for pulling their support from the U.K.’s Wireless Festival after the controversial decision to book Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West. On Monday, April 6, Schwimmer took to social media to applaud brands like Pepsi, PayPal, and Diageo for stepping back.
The Friends actor, who has long been active in fighting antisemitism, said that these companies were making a moral choice by refusing to give a platform to someone with a history of offensive and bigoted behavior.
“It’s great to see companies with moral clarity,” he wrote. Schwimmer criticized the festival itself for supporting a performer he described as a “hate-mongering” figure and stressed that allowing such behavior to be celebrated can have serious real-world effects.
He highlighted Ye’s past merchandise and music that included Nazi imagery as examples of why giving him a stage was inappropriate. Schwimmer also questioned Ye’s recent apology in the Wall Street Journal. He suggested that the timing, right before big concert announcements, seemed more like a marketing strategy than a genuine effort to make amends.
“An apology letter is just that: Words on paper,” Schwimmer said. He urged the remaining sponsors, including Budweiser and Big Green Coach, to follow the example set by those who have already withdrawn.
The controversy has even reached the U.K. government. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the booking “deeply concerning” and reminded the public of the responsibility to keep Jewish communities safe.
Festival Republic, which organizes the Wireless Festival, has defended its decision. Managing director Melvin Benn argued that the event is about music, not politics, and suggested that forgiveness and second chances are part of navigating a divided world.
Outside of speaking out on this issue, Schwimmer has been busy with his acting career. He recently starred in the second season of the Disney+ and Hulu anthology series Goosebumps: The Vanishing as Anthony Brewer, a former botany professor caught up in a chilling mystery.
His performance received praise for its grounded and emotional depth, showing a very different side of his acting compared to his comedic work on Friends. Schwimmer continues to support human rights initiatives and frequently speaks at conferences focused on online hate speech and social responsibility.
He has remained outspoken in Hollywood about holding public figures accountable and using influence responsibly. By taking a stand publicly, Schwimmer is showing that celebrities can use their platform to call out harmful behavior and support companies that make ethical choices.
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