Nick Cannon Calls Democrats “Party of the KKK” in Viral Rant

The Nick Cannon Democrats KKK controversy exploded over the weekend after the “Wild ‘N Out” host made explosive claims about American political history. Speaking on an episode of his podcast, Cannon told listeners they had been misled about which party founded the Ku Klux Klan.

“People don’t know that the Democrats are the party of the KKK,” Cannon said. “People don’t know that the Republicans are the party that freed the slaves.” The remarks quickly circulated across social media, drawing both praise from conservative commentators and sharp rebukes from historians and Democratic leaders.

Cannon’s statement hinges on a well-documented but often misunderstood historical reality. The Ku Klux Klan was founded in 1865 by former Confederate soldiers who were Democrats. At that time, the Democratic Party was the dominant political force in the South and defended racial segregation and white supremacy. Republicans, led by President Abraham Lincoln, pushed for the abolition of slavery and passed the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments.

However, historians emphasize that the two parties underwent a dramatic ideological realignment during the 20th century. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 were signed by Democratic President Lyndon B. Johnson, but faced opposition from many Southern Democrats. That period triggered a massive shift, with conservative whites moving to the Republican Party and Black voters increasingly aligning with Democrats.

Cannon did not acknowledge the realignment in his comments. Critics accused him of weaponizing a century-old fact to mislead modern audiences. Defenders argued he was simply stating historical truth that schools often avoid.

The 44-year-old entertainer has a long history of controversial statements. In 2020, he was temporarily fired from “Wild ‘N Out” after making anti-Semitic remarks on his podcast. He later apologized and met with Jewish leaders. This latest controversy shows no signs of fading as debate over political history intensifies ahead of the next election cycle.