Source: Kevin Mazur/Getty
by Michael Rubin The Breakfast Club interview led to some uncomfortable statements about Black culture, causing serious backlash on social media.
On Wednesday (August 14), Michael Rubin was the guest The Breakfast Club. The Fanatics CEO appeared on the show to promote his upcoming Fanatics Fest conference in New York, but he left many online upset with some of his statements about Black culture. The hosts asked him about the annual 4th of July parties in the Hamptons, which are attended by celebrities like Jay-Z and Tom Brady in all-white. The conversation soon turned to a photo of Rubin hugging Lil Baby from behind. The photo led to numerous comments from trolls, upsetting Rubin. “I think it was pathetic. I think it was a joke,” Rubin said. “You know what I hate? Watching a Black try to take off a Black. This is crazy. Lil Baby is one of the best human beings on the planet.”
Rubin didn't stop there, defending Meek Mill from jokes made about an infamous viral video he was a part of. “When I see the narrative of a really good friend of mine like Meek, and people are trying to … Again, if he was gay — that there's not a gay bone in his body — who cares, number one,” he said. “If people want to be gay, it's 2024. Who cares about marriage? Number two, there isn't a gay bone in his body, so why do people want to lie about it? Why do people want to change the narrative of a bet he made with me to hurt him?' Then he would express his generalized thoughts about Black culture. “That's the one thing I learned about, you know, look, I'm just raw because I'm me,” he began. “It's the only thing I've learned about Black culture that I don't like is that Black people hate to hate.”
Charlamagne Tha God and DJ Envy came in to challenge Rubin, but only slightly. “I'll probably get killed for saying that because I'm a rich white man,” Rubin said. Charlamagne Tha God responded: “I'm glad you're out in the open. If these are the conversations that take place between [your people]I want to hear that.” Social media users were less diplomatic, accusing Rubin of being a “culture vulture” and the hosts of not being firm enough with their pushback.
See responses to Rubin's remarks below.
