Facebook and Google joined a long list of companies asking for donation refunds from Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., after the senator made controversial comments, including one about a "public hanging," The Washington Post reports.
A video went viral earlier this month of Hyde-Smith joking she would gladly attend a "public hanging" if one of her supporters invited her. The lawmaker initially refused to apologize, and major companies asked for donation refunds, including Walmart, AT&T, Pfizer, Amazon, and Major League Baseball.
Many people said Hyde-Smith's comments were racially charged as Mississippi had a reputation for lynching African Americans, many by hanging.
"While we support candidates who promote pro-growth policies for business and technology, we do not condone these remarks and would not have made such a contribution had we known about them," Google said through a spokeswoman.
Google and Facebook both donated $5,000 to Hyde-Smith.
"The recent public comments made by Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith do not reflect the values or mission of Facebook," Facebook said through a spokesperson. "Our PAC contribution was made before these comments were made, and we have asked the Hyde-Smith campaign to return our campaign donation."
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