Several companies that have ad spots on “Tucker Carlson Tonight” said they will continue their relationship with the Fox News show because the companies do not make advertising decisions based on politics.
A spokesperson for Mitsubishi, which advertises during Carlson’s show, told the Daily Beast that it makes decisions based on demographics.
“Our advertising media spend is determined based on demographics and psychographics, not politics,” the spokesperson said. “Our strategic marketing intent is to share our key product news with consumers through a variety of media channels. We will monitor the situation and adjust our advertising if necessary.”
A Mitsubishi ad aired during Carlson’s show last Thursday night, during which he made a comment that received backlash and caused more than a dozen companies to drop their slots.
Carlson said, when talking about mass illegal immigration, that the U.S. is forced to let in “the world’s poor,” making the country “poorer, and dirtier, and more divided.” Fox News defended its host in a statement Tuesday, saying that it would “not allow voices like Tucker Carlson to be censored” through “intimidation efforts.”
Other businesses also defended the decision to continue advertising during Carlson’s time slot on Fox News.
“Farmers invests in advertising across a broad range of networks and programs that reflect the diversity of opinions and viewpoints found across the nation,” a spokesman for Farmers Insurance said in a statement, suggesting it will continue its advertising with Fox News during Carlson’s show.
Pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca said that it bases its advertising purchases on viewership and demographic relevance.
“The content and opinions of the outlets, networks or websites for which we advertise are not reflective of our views or values as a company,” a spokesperson for AstraZeneca said Tuesday. “However, as a standard practice, we regularly monitor our media programming to ensure it’s aligned to our corporate values. As such, we will continue to assess our advertising purchases regarding the heightened attention surrounding this matter.”
MyPillow, Sanofi, John Deere, and other companies made similar statements.
