Kanye West, the controversial rapper and fashion mogul also known as Ye, has deleted his X (formerly Twitter) account following backlash over a series of offensive posts.
The 47-year-old artist came under intense criticism for making inflammatory remarks about Jewish people, once again reigniting concerns over his rhetoric on social media. His latest comments, which included statements such as “I love Hitler” and “I’m a Nazi,” sparked outrage and calls for action against him.
Among his most troubling remarks was a post where West defiantly stated, “I’m never apologising for my Jewish comments,” reinforcing his history of antisemitic rhetoric.
Following the posts, X flagged his account with a “sensitive content warning,” signaling the platform’s awareness of his violations. However, rather than facing another suspension, West appears to have taken matters into his own hands, removing his profile entirely from the platform.
Before deleting his account, West posted a farewell message acknowledging X owner Elon Musk, who had previously allowed him back on the platform despite past controversies.
“I’m logging out of Twitter,” he wrote. “I appreciate Elon for allowing me to vent. It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board. It was like an Ayahuasca trip.” He concluded his message with, “Love all of you who gave me your energy and attention. To we connect again [sic]. Good afternoon and goodnight.”
His exit from X came just days after he used the platform to criticize pop superstar Taylor Swift during the Super Bowl. In a now-deleted post, he wrote, “IF IT’S ABOUT THE CULTURE … WHY ARE WE LETTING TAYLOR SWIFT BE SEEN ON TV SINGING A SONG ABOUT TAKING A BLACK MAN DOWN AND ACCUSING OF THINGS THAT CAN TAKE A BLACK MAN DOWN FOR LIFE.” The post appeared to reference Swift’s past legal dispute with a radio host who groped her, though the connection to race was widely questioned.
West’s latest controversy prompted renewed calls for his removal from X. The Campaign Against Antisemitism, a UK-based advocacy group, directly urged Elon Musk to ban him from the platform, stating, “Once again, Ye has gone on an antisemitic rampage online. It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite.” The organization emphasized that his rhetoric contributed to rising antisemitic sentiment and could incite real-world harm.
The group added, “At a time of unprecedented antisemitism, there can be no mistaking this incitement for exactly what it is. We call on Elon Musk to remove him from X.”
The pressure on Musk to act was further amplified by prominent public figures, including Friends star David Schwimmer, who took to social media to voice his concerns.
Schwimmer, known for his outspoken stance against hate speech, condemned West’s continued presence on the platform. In a passionate Instagram post, he wrote, “This is so 2022. We can’t stop a deranged bigot from spewing hate-filled, ignorant bile… but we CAN stop giving him a megaphone, Mr. Musk.” He further pointed out the dangers of allowing West’s influence to spread unchecked.
“Kanye West has 32.7 million followers on your platform, X. That’s twice as many people as the number of Jews in existence,” Schwimmer continued. “His sick hate speech results in REAL LIFE violence against Jews.”
The actor also expressed frustration at the lack of widespread condemnation, questioning, “I don’t know what’s worse, the fact that he identifies as a Nazi (which implies he wants to exterminate ALL marginalized communities, including his own) or the fact that there is not sufficient OUTRAGE to remove and ban him from all social media at this point.”
This latest scandal comes just weeks after West and his wife, Bianca Censori, faced backlash at the Grammy Awards. Censori appeared on the red carpet in a transparent dress, standing beside West, whose bizarre public appearances and fashion choices have continued to attract attention. The couple has been making headlines not only for their unusual outfits but also for their erratic public behavior.
West’s history with X has been tumultuous. His account has been suspended multiple times over the years, primarily due to his antisemitic remarks. In October 2022, his account was restricted after he posted comments targeting Jewish people.
However, he was reinstated a month later despite public outcry. This pattern repeated in December 2022 when he praised Adolf Hitler and made other incendiary statements.
At the time, Elon Musk personally intervened, announcing that West’s account had been suspended for “incitement to violence” after he posted an image that appeared to depict a swastika inside a Star of David. Musk described the decision as necessary to prevent further harm, but by July 2023, the account was reinstated, allowing West to return to the platform.
West’s return to X last year was met with mixed reactions, with some defending free speech while others warned about the dangers of providing him with a platform. Despite being given another chance, he continued making inflammatory statements, ultimately leading to his voluntary exit from the platform this time around.
Beyond social media, the fallout from West’s comments has had lasting consequences on his career. In 2022, his antisemitic remarks led Adidas to sever ties with him, costing him a lucrative Yeezy sneaker deal. Other major brands, including Balenciaga and Gap, also distanced themselves from him, resulting in a significant financial and reputational decline.
As West disappears from X once again, questions remain about whether he will find another platform to voice his controversial opinions. While he has deleted his account for now, history suggests that he may resurface elsewhere, continuing his pattern of incendiary remarks and public feuds. For now, his latest departure marks another chapter in the ongoing saga of one of music’s most polarizing figures.
