The New Yorker Festival has dropped its headlining guest, former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon, after at least five comedian panelists announced via Twitter they would not participate if Bannon remained.
Staff members of the New Yorker tweeted that editor-in-chief David Remnick, who was set to interview Bannon, sent an internal memo saying that he's "re-considered" and "changed my mind".
According to New Yorker TV critic Emily Nussbaum, he may interview Bannon on the Radio Hour instead.
Earlier, comedian John Mulaney tweeted "I'm out" and explained that while he "genuinely support(s) public intellectual debate ... this isn't James Baldwin vs William F Buckley."
He went on to characterise Bannon's inclusion as "PT Barnum level horses--t" and added "hard pass on this amateur-night sonofabitch".
Director and comedian Judd Apatow tweeted, "If Steve Bannon is at the New Yorker festival I am out."
"I will not take part in an event that normalizes hate. I hope the NewYorker will do the right thing and cancel the Steve Bannon event. Maybe they should read their own reporting about his ideology."
Jim Carrey followed suit shortly after, writing "Bannon? And me? On the same program? Could never happen."
Comedian Patton Oswalt also rescinded his participation Monday. "Sorry NewYorker. See if Milo Yiannopoulos is free?"
Bannon would have participated in a discussion entitled The Ideology of Trumpism.
Other prominent participants include David Hogg, Emily Blunt, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Haruki Murakami, and Zadie Smith. Janet Mock, Sally Q. Yates, John Krasinski, Jimmy Fallon, Bo Burnham, Kehinde Wiley, and Boots Riley will also guest.
