(RNS) In the days since his firing, Reza Aslan’s supporters have sparked debate about free speech and racism on Twitter as they criticized CNN and came to the popular TV personality’s defense.
Aslan had already begun production on the second season of his TV show “Believer” when CNN canceled it June 9 in response to a vulgar tweet about President Trump.
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Reacting to the president’s tweet about the London terror attacks, Aslan’s since-deleted tweet referred to Trump as a “piece of s—.” After CNN officially canceled his series, an adventure show in which Aslan visited different religious groups around the world, Aslan apologized in a statement of his own.
My statement about the cancellation of #Believer pic.twitter.com/ITtXAyQwd5
— Reza Aslan (@rezaaslan) June 9, 2017
“Believer” was met with some criticism when it premiered in March, primarily from Hindu and Scientology groups that felt the show misrepresented their faiths. One Hindu organization created an online petition for its cancellation that gained over 20,000 supporters.
Reza Aslan in India for the CNN show “Believer.” Photo courtesy of CNN
By contrast, a petition to save the show attracted only six supporters so far.
Still, a few fans did express disappointment in the cancellation:
Verified my acct to express disappointment: @CNN canceled @rezaaslan show Believer. Fascinating, compassionate show. USA needed it, frankly.
— Chloe (@coco_boston) June 10, 2017
@CNN you canceled @rezaaslan‘s show Believer? What? Your loss. Reza, go to @HBO and continue!! #Believer #Religion #Culture
— AM (@DreaMcCoy) June 9, 2017
Very disappointed that CNN canceled @rezaaslan for criticizing Trump. Believer is a brilliant show. Hopefully another network picks it up.
— Dave (@FastFastBoom) June 9, 2017
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More Twitter users and media personalities showed support for Aslan as opposed to discussing the show itself.
Also Reza Aslan is an opinionated commentator with a personality driven show. Why give him a show if you’re going to censor him?
— Wajahat Ali (@WajahatAli) June 9, 2017
.@rezaaslan is a brilliant person who brings more to the table than many in the chattering class. Sir, you are welcome on #AMJoy any time.
— Joy Reid (@JoyAnnReid) June 9, 2017
I’m disappointed. I know CNN told you to apologize, but it’s 2017 and swearing is not offensive when *real* Nazis want to kill us.
— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) June 4, 2017
Other Twitter users commended CNN’s decision.
Hows it feel to go from a guy with a show on CNN to just another whiny liberal on Twitter?
— Mark Dice (@MarkDice) June 10, 2017
#CNNCannibal eats his own foot, chokes himself into the unemployment line… #Parody https://t.co/OKssHb8usz
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) June 10, 2017
Human brain eating, foul mouth communist @rezaaslan is fired by @CNN. That’s about as low as a fake journalist can go. “Believe” that Reza!
— Jonathan T Gilliam (@JGilliam_SEAL) June 10, 2017
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The conversation has also included deeper discussion about race, religion and free speech. Twitter users are questioning why some personalities, like Aslan and Kathy Griffin, have been penalized for speaking against the president while others have not.
Reza Aslan, Kathy Griffin and Bill Maher: TV takes offense – selectively https://t.co/MP0O3Smzxv
— Paul Bettany (@Paul_Bettany) June 13, 2017
Reza Aslan fired
Bill Maher defended
Anti-black racism is ok
Hating on fascism crosses the line— Remi Kanazi (@Remroum) June 10, 2017
Some suggested Aslan’s identity as a Muslim may be part of the reason he was fired.
.@CNN employed Jeffrey Lord & Corey Lewandowski, but fired Muslim host @RezaAslan for criticizing Trump on Twitter #BringBackReza
— Shahed Amanullah (@shahed) June 10, 2017
So wait. Bill Maher still has a show but Reza Aslan doesn’t? That’s called white privilege, people.
— Arjun Sethi (@arjunsethi81) June 10, 2017
