Public Enemy recently parted ways with founding member Flavor Flav after more than 35 years, following a public dispute regarding a cease-and-desist letter sent to Bernie Sanders. Chuck D has now confirmed that the dismissal was not about politics, after a shocked tweet from Flavor Flav.

Public Enemy Radio played at a Sanders rally on Sunday night. Flavor Flav's letter asserted that he never gave permission for his likeness to be used as part of campaign advertisements, despite the fact that Public Enemy Radio is a separate entity consisting only of Chuck D, DJ Lord, Jahi, and the S1Ws. Following the dismissal, he tweeted yesterday about his shock, asking if Chuck was willing to destroy their long career over politics.

.@MrChuckD are you kidding me right now???,,,over Bernie Sanders??? You wanna destroy something we've built over 35 years OVER POLITICS???,,,all because I don't wanna endorse a candidate,,,I'm very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck,,,

— FLAVOR FLAV (@FlavorFlav) March 2, 2020

Chuck D later released a statement clarifying that the firing was a long time coming, not just about the dispute. "Public Enemy did not part ways with Flavor Flav over his political views," he and the group's other four members wrote in a statement.

Flavor Flav has been on suspension from the group since 2016, when he did not appear at the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia. According to the statement, this was the last straw and "he always chose to party over work." Public Enemy Radio have performed numerous times without him, including benefit shows and a co-headlining slot with Wu-Tang Clan.

pic.twitter.com/p7sTtf5URn

— PUBLIC ENEMY (@PublicEnemyFTP) March 3, 2020

The group referenced a discussion about rehab and intervention for the former member and wish him well in the future. Chuck D previously discussed the enigma that is Flavor Flav back in 2011 in an exclusive Electric Picnic interview with Hot Press.

Flavor Flav previously sued the group in 2017, claiming he did not receive a fair share of profits. His recent cease-and-desist letter stated that Chuck D's opinions did not speak for the rest of the group and he did not want to be affiliated with any political candidates in this election cycle. "There is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav," the letter reads, along with a hand-written note from Flavor Flav that states: "Hey Bernie, don't do this!"

Chuck D has expressed his strong support for the candidate, referencing the importance of pledges to bring universal health care and child care.

My Dad passing in 2016 and Granddaughter being born automatically put healthcare and childcare at the top of my brain. There ain’t a candidate running that can answer to 3 Black struggling generations living in the same crib, same time. If y’all don’t know THIS-it’s a bad problem pic.twitter.com/k8nJbhP8sV

— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) March 1, 2020