David Schwimmer has thanked corporate sponsors who have pulled out of the UK's Wireless Festival over Kanye West's headline slot, calling the rapper a 'hate-mongering bigot'. The actor, best known for playing Ross Geller in Friends, took to social media to urge remaining sponsors to follow suit, citing West's history of antisemitic statements.
Schwimmer specifically praised Pepsi, PayPal, and Diageo for severing ties with the festival, which is set to host West for three nights in June. He criticised Wireless and its promoter Festival Republic for platforming an artist who, he said, has released a song called 'Heil Hitler', sold a swastika T-shirt, and professed to be a Nazi as recently as last year.
The actor expressed doubt over West's recent apology in a paid Wall Street Journal ad, describing it as a 'PR scheme'. He noted that West had previously apologised only to retract and double down on his hatred of Jewish people. 'An apology letter is just that: Words on paper,' Schwimmer wrote. 'It does not erase years of abuse.'
Schwimmer highlighted that West's remarks have not been publicly denounced by fellow artists who have performed with him, including Lauryn Hill, Travis Scott, CeeLo Green, and Don Toliver. He called on remaining Wireless sponsors—Budweiser, Beat Box Beverages, Drip water, and Big Green Coach—to also withdraw support.
In a follow-up email to Variety, Schwimmer clarified that his focus is on West's lack of follow-through after the ad and previous apologies. 'I call upon him to take actual measures by which the Jewish community could begin to take his professed rehabilitation seriously,' he wrote.
Wireless Festival is standing firm despite pressure from sponsors, government officials, and the Prime Minister. Festival Republic's managing director Melvin Benn defended the decision, citing his personal experience with forgiveness and mental health issues.
