John “Papa John” Schnatter, the founder of the eponymous pizza delivery company, will deliver a speech at this year’s CPAC.
Schnatter was “canceled” after he used a racial slur while denouncing a competing fast food chain’s alleged racism.
CONFIRMED: @IAmPapaJohn pic.twitter.com/W9UyypUG52
— Matt Schlapp (@mschlapp) February 17, 2022
Arguably a victim of cancel culture, Schnatter resigned from his position in June of 2018 after a forced apology due to remarks he made in a conference call one month earlier.
“Colonel Sanders called blacks n******,” bemoaned Schnatter in the fateful May conference call. He was denouncing KFC’s long-deceased founder and current mascot as a racist.
Schnatter put forth a statement acknowledging the “inappropriate and hurtful” language he used and said that “Regardless of the context, I apologize.” Regardless of his apology, he resigned amid pressure.
Some have wondered if political partisans seized on the opportunity to separate Schnatter from his company.
Under his stewardship, Papa John’s gave around $200,000 to Republican candidates from 2012 to 2018.
After his departure, the organization gave $87,000 to Democrat candidates in 2020, the largest amount the company has spent on political contributions in once cycle.
While many on the left predictably attacked CPAC and conservatives for associating with Schnatter, some users merely pointed out the comedic appearance of Schlapp’s tweet.
If taken literally, it reads “CONIRMED: I Am Papa John.”
CONFIRMED: I Am Papa John. https://t.co/oRZMjCF2Wk
— David Roth (@david_j_roth) February 17, 2022
