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Edited by: Fern Sidman
According to The Independent of the UK, controversial rapper Kanye West has once again ignited public fury with a series of deeply offensive and anti-Semitic posts on X (formerly Twitter). The posts, written in an all-caps tirade, included shocking declarations such as “I love Hitler. Now what bitches,” and “I’m a Nazi [sic].” These inflammatory remarks have sparked widespread condemnation, with many social media users expressing their outrage and disbelief. The Independent reports that this latest outburst is part of a troubling pattern of anti-Semitic rhetoric from West, who has repeatedly made similar statements in interviews and online.
This is not the first time West has faced backlash for anti-Semitic comments. His anti-Semitism scandal initially erupted in December 2022 when he made disturbing remarks during an appearance on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’s Infowars show, according to the information provided in The Independent of the UK report. During that interview, West openly praised Adolf Hitler, stating, “I like Hitler” and repeatedly lauding the Nazi leader. His comments were widely condemned, leading to the termination of several high-profile business partnerships, including deals with Adidas, GAP, and Balenciaga. The Independent recalls that Adidas, in particular, issued a strong statement denouncing West’s remarks as “unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous,” emphasizing that they violated the company’s core values of diversity, inclusion, and mutual respect.
AINT NOBODY RAMPED UP EITHER IM CALM AS ICE THIS HOW I REALLY FEEL HOW I REALLY FELT AND HOW I WILL ALWAYS FEEL FUCK ALL OF YOUR FUCK ASS UNFAIR BUSINESS DEALS ANY JEWISH PERSON THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH ME NEEDS TO KNOW I DONT LIKE OR TRUST ANY JEWISH PERSON AMD THIS IS…
— ye (@kanyewest) February 7, 2025
Despite the severe fallout from his past anti-Semitic statements, The Independent of the UK reported that West has continued to make similar declarations, showing no remorse for his rhetoric. His latest posts on X reflect a continued embrace of hate speech, with one message stating: “AINT NOBODY RAMPED UP EITHER IM CALM AS ICE THIS HOW I REALLY FEEL HOW I REALLY FELT AND HOW I WILL ALWAYS FEEL F*** ALL OF YOUR F*** ASS UNFAIR BUSINESS DEALS ANY JEWISH PERSON THAT DOES BUSINESS WITH ME NEEDS TO KNOW I DONT LIKE OR TRUST ANY JEWISH PERSON AMD THIS IS COMPLETELY SOBER WITH NO HENNESY [sic].” The Independent of the UKnoted that this statement explicitly targets Jewish individuals, making it clear that West’s anti-Semitic sentiments remain deeply entrenched.
CALL ME YAYDOLF YITLER AND YOUR BITCH STILL WANTS TO FUCK
— ye (@kanyewest) February 7, 2025
The Independent of the UK highlighted the intense backlash that has erupted in response to West’s latest tirade. Hundreds of X users took to the platform to denounce the rapper’s remarks, with many calling for his account to be suspended and for the music industry to sever ties with him completely. Some commentators have pointed out that West’s pattern of anti-Semitism is no longer just an isolated incident but a repeated, deliberate attack on the Jewish community. The Independent also reports that Jewish advocacy groups, including the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), have previously condemned West’s rhetoric, warning that his influence as a public figure amplifies dangerous hate speech.
West’s anti-Semitic remarks have had real-world consequences beyond social media backlash. His business empire has suffered immense financial losses, with major brands distancing themselves from him. Adidas, which once had a billion-dollar partnership with West’s Yeezy brand, terminated their contract after his 2022 remarks, resulting in an estimated loss of $1.5 billion in revenue. The Independent of the UK reported that this financial blow has significantly impacted West’s standing in the fashion and music industries, but despite these setbacks, he has continued to push anti-Semitic narratives.
In addition to his anti-Semitic rants, West recently expressed support for embattled hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is currently facing multiple charges related to sex trafficking and racketeering. Combs, who denies all allegations against him, recently announced a business partnership between his Sean John clothing label and West’s Yeezy brand. As was indicated in The Independent of the UK, West took to Instagram to promote the collaboration, and Combs later acknowledged the deal with a social media post thanking West.
During his X tirade, West also made vague and conspiratorial statements about Black moguls being “taken down.” One post read: “My support of Puff is completely selfish I need to find whoever been trying to out Black moguls [sic].” The Independent of the UK highlighted that this comment appears to suggest that powerful figures are deliberately targeting influential Black businessmen—an assertion West has previously made in connection with his claims about Jewish control over the entertainment industry.
Despite the uproar, West’s representatives have not issued any official response to the controversy. The Independent of the UK contacted West’s team for comment, but no reply has been received at the time of writing. This silence is consistent with West’s previous handling of backlash, where he has either doubled down on his remarks or ignored demands for accountability altogether.
As a globally recognized artist and cultural figure, West has a massive platform, and his antisemitic rhetoric reaches millions of followers. Critics argue that his repeated public endorsement of hate speech normalizes anti-Semitism and could contribute to a broader rise in anti-Jewish sentiment. The Independent also points out that despite being widely condemned, West still retains a loyal fan base that defends his actions, often dismissing his remarks as either artistic expression or mental health struggles.
As West continues to make inflammatory statements without facing significant industry consequences, The Independent questions whether more decisive action should be taken to hold him accountable. While major corporations like Adidas and GAP have severed ties, West still has access to social media platforms where he can spread his views. The Independent highlights calls from advocacy groups urging platforms like X to take stronger action against hate speech, including permanently banning West from the platform.
In his new album ‘Vultures,’ The Independent of the UK highlighed that West makes direct references to the accusations of anti-Semitism that have followed him for years. On the album’s closing track, King, he raps:
“Crazy, bipolar, antisemite
And I’m still the king/ Still the king/ Still/
They thought headlines was my kryptonite/ Still the king.”
According to The Independent of the UK, these lyrics appear to dismiss the media coverage of his anti-Semitic remarks as mere obstacles rather than serious offenses. The repeated assertion that he is “still the king” suggests that despite the backlash, West sees himself as untouchable. Critics have pointed out that rather than demonstrating remorse, these lyrics seem to trivialize the controversy surrounding his past statements.
On the album’s title track, The Independent of the UK reported that West further mocks the accusations of antisemitism, rapping: “I ain’t antisemitic, I just f*ed a Jewish b**.”
These lyrics, as noted by The Independent of the UK, appear to downplay the gravity of anti-Semitism, reducing it to a crude and dismissive remark. The explicit reference to a Jewish woman as a means of defending himself against accusations of anti-Semitism has been widely criticized as both offensive and tone-deaf.
West’s history of anti-Semitic remarks first gained widespread attention in 2022, when he made several incendiary comments online and in interviews. His most notorious statement came during an appearance on Alex Jones’s Infowars, where he openly praised Adolf Hitler, stating, “I like Hitler” and expressing admiration for the Nazi regime.
The Independent of the UK also reported that in December 2022, West’s X (formerly Twitter) account was suspended after he posted an image of a swastika inside the Star of David. X’s owner, tech billionaire Elon Musk, personally confirmed the suspension, writing that he had “tried his best” to convince West not to share such posts. Musk’s response underscored the severity of the violation, as X’s policies explicitly prohibit incitement to violence and the promotion of hateful imagery.
Following the backlash, The Independent of the UK noted that West initially offered an apology to the Jewish community, claiming that he had realized the harm caused by his words. However, this apology was met with skepticism, as many felt it was motivated by financial and professional damage rather than genuine remorse.
With the release of Vultures, The Independent of the UK suggested that West’s lyrics indicate a retreat from his previous contrition. By openly referencing his anti-Semitic controversy and dismissing its impact, West appears to be reclaiming his past statements rather than distancing himself from them. The Independent of the UK reported that many listeners and advocacy groups have condemned this approach, arguing that it perpetuates dangerous narratives and emboldens anti-Semitic sentiment.
Despite his 2022 suspension, The Independent of the UK noted that West’s X account remains active as of February 2024, with posts continuing to be shared. This raises questions about whether X’s enforcement of its policies has softened since Musk took over the platform. Given West’s history of inflammatory statements, The Independent of the UK reports that there is growing concern over his continued presence on X and the potential spread of harmful rhetoric.
The Independent of the UK has reached out to X for comment regarding West’s recent activity, but no response has been provided at the time of writing. This lack of clarity has fueled further debate over the responsibilities of social media platforms in regulating hate speech, particularly when it comes from high-profile figures like Kanye West.
West’s latest controversy, as detailed by The Independent of the UK, raises broader concerns about the influence of celebrity figures in normalizing anti-Semitic rhetoric. Despite facing severe professional repercussions in the past—including being dropped by Adidas, GAP, and Balenciaga—West continues to find ways to remain relevant in both the music and fashion industries.
Industry insiders, according to The Independent of the UK, are divided on how to handle West’s actions. Some argue that continued collaborations with West send the message that antisemitism is tolerated in the entertainment industry, while others claim that attempting to cancel him only fuels his narrative of persecution.
West’s actions come at a time when anti-Semitic incidents are on the rise globally. Advocacy groups have pointed to his rhetoric as particularly dangerous given his massive platform and devoted following. The normalization of such remarks, The Independent of the UK warns, could contribute to an increase in anti-Semitic hate crimes and reinforce negative stereotypes.
