Actor Lakeith Stanfield apologizes for moderating antisemitic Clubhouse chat

"I unconditionally apologize for what went on in that chat room, and for allowing my presence there to give a platform to hate speech,” Stanfield wrote on Instagram.

2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Arrivals – Santa Monica, California, U.S., February 23, 2019 – Lakeith Stanfield.  (photo credit: DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS)
2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards – Arrivals – Santa Monica, California, U.S., February 23, 2019 – Lakeith Stanfield.
(photo credit: DANNY MOLOSHOK/REUTERS)
Oscar-nominated actor Lakeith Stanfield apologized in an Instagram post after The Daily Beast reported on Friday that he co-moderated a room on the audio app Clubhouse in which antisemitic remarks were made, Page Six reported on Saturday afternoon. 
“I condemn hate speech and discriminatory views of every kind. I unconditionally apologize for what went on in that chat room, and for allowing my presence there to give a platform to hate speech,” Stanfield wrote on his Instagram account on Saturday morning. “I am not an antisemite nor do I condone any of the beliefs discussed in that chat room,” he added.
“At some point during the dialogue the discussion took a very negative turn when several users made abhorrent antisemitic statements and at that point, I should have either shut down the discussion or removed myself from it entirely,” the actor wrote, claiming that he was made a moderator of the chat after the hosts noticed he was in the room listening.

 

Stanfield's apology came after he was featured as a moderator in a Clubhouse room focusing on the teachings of controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, when the conversation turned antisemitic. 
Clubhouse is a social media app that was launched last year and brought millions of users around the globe together to talk about certain topics and themes.
 
Gabe Friedman/JTA contributed to this report.