Ron DeSantis Campaign Ad Used 'Peaky Blinders' Footage Without Permission

The Peaky Blinders team have denounced the use of footage from the series in an anti-LGBTQ+ campaign ad made for Republican presidential hopeful Ron DeSantis.

The ad, which was shared by the GOP Florida governor's campaign on June 30, begins with a series of pro-LGBTQ+ statements made by former President Donald Trump. The video then juxtaposes these with headlines referencing DeSantis's anti-LGBTQ+ policies while cutting to clips from various films and television shows. The total effect of the ad is to celebrate DeSantis's anti-Pride track record and to paint Trump, his political rival, as an LGBTQ+ ally.

Among the spliced-in clips are two shots from British crime drama Peaky Blinders featuring Cillian Murphy, who plays series protagonist Tommy Shelby.

The Peaky Blinders team posted a statement Wednesday regarding the unauthorized use of footage from the show, made on behalf of series creator Steven Knight, lead actor Cillian Murphy, Caryn Mandabach Productions, Tiger Aspect Productions, and Baniay Rights.

"On behalf of the partners of Peaky Blinders...We confirm the footage of Tommy Shelby's character used within the video posted by Ron DeSantis' campaign was obtained without permission of official license," it reads. "We do not support nor endorse the video's narrative and strongly disapprove of the use of the content in this manner."

Also included in the DeSantis ad are clips of Brad Pitt in Troy, Christian Bale in American Psycho, and Leonardo DiCaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street. It is likely that none of this footage was obtained with permission, and it remains to be seen whether the production companies for these films will respond.

The DeSantis war room account shared the video on the last day of Pride month with the following caption: "To wrap up “Pride Month,” let’s hear from the politician [Trump] who did more than any other Republican to celebrate it…"