"May have to switch from Verizon" — Internet reacts as C Spire pulls Olympics advertising over Last Supper controversy

On July 27, US-based telecommunications company C Spire decided to pull its advertising from the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, two days after its inaugural ceremony sparked a row online.

“We were shocked by the mockery of the Last Supper during the opening ceremonies of the Paris Olympics. C Spire will be pulling our advertising from the Olympics,” the official account of the company wrote on X.

The controversy arose from a performance by French DJ, producer, and LGBTQ activist Barbara Butch, French musician and actor Philippe Katerine, and several drag queens, which included a song and dance sequence on Friday that seemingly depicted a parody of Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting The Last Supper. The depiction was widely criticized online as anti-Christian.

Following C Spire's decision to withdraw its advertisement, the internet is having varied reactions. For instance, an X user wrote in the comment section of the company’s announcement:

"May have to switch from Verizon just for this."

Several others joined in the conversation. The majority thanked the company for backing up the beliefs of the Christian community:

“God Bless and you keep you! Thank you! It was all so unnecessary, this mockery. In my mind, I can only think of one reason why they would do it. Smh. Anyway, wanted to express my thanks for speaking up and out,” a person wrote.

“Thank you for standing up!!! I wish more companies would follow your lead,” one person wrote.

“Have never been more proud of a company. Thank you for representing the values of your customers,” another person wrote.

Some shared their eagerness to take up their telecom services, while others expressed how glad they were to already be their customers.

“I don’t know what you sell, but I would buy it,” one netizen wrote.

“I'm glad I'm already a customer of C Spire!” a netizen wrote.

“Following, will gladly switch when you guys bring service to my area,” another netizen wrote.

However, some slammed/trolled the move.

“My company uses your services. We’ll be changing providers. We can’t do business with a spineless company that bows to the radical right,” an individual wrote.

“Oh no, the entire Olympics is doomed because you’re not going to spend an insignificant amount of money on it because your feelings were hurt,” another individual wrote.

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Mississippi Governor lauded C Spire for pulling Olympics advertising

Over the weekend, C Spire, the sixth largest telecommunications company in the USA, expressed its disapproval of the alleged parody of The Last Supper at the Olympics opening ceremony and pulled its advertising from X.

Later, the company’s CEO, Suzy Hays, issued a statement to 16 WAPT:

“C Spire is supportive of our athletes who have worked so hard to be a part of the Olympics. However, we will not be a part of the offensive and unacceptable mockery of the Last Supper, which is why we’re pulling our advertising from the Olympics.”

Meanwhile, Tate Reeves, the Governor of Mississippi, where the company is headquartered, lauded its move. He took to X and wrote:

“I am proud to see the private sector in Mississippi step up and put their foot down. God will not be mocked. C Spire drew a common-sense, appropriate line.”

In the wake of the backlash, Paris 2024 Summer Olympics spokesperson Anne Descamps issued an apology on July 28. She stated that “there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group” but rather the aim was to “celebrate community tolerance.” She also said that the organizers were “really, really sorry” for offending the viewers.