Ye Deactivates X Account Amid Controversy

Ye, previously referred to as Kanye West, has temporarily closed his X account after a series of inflammatory posts provoked a significant backlash. The 47-year-old artist and fashion entrepreneur’s exit from the platform coincided with a barrage of antisemitic, misogynistic, and homophobic comments, explicit videos, and a rekindling of his long-standing dispute with Taylor Swift.

Controversial Comments

West’s recent tirade comprised remarks extolling Adolf Hitler, where he identified himself as a Nazi, alongside broad antisemitic statements. He notably targeted the Jewish community by stating, “I’m never apologising for my Jewish comments.” These controversial posts coupled with derogatory comments about overweight women and adult content distributed on his account resulted in a warning for sensitive content being placed on his profile.

Public Backlash

In response to his statements, notable personalities such as David Schwimmer and Piers Morgan urged X to act and suspend his account. However, it remains uncertain whether West decided to deactivate the account on his own accord or if it was removed by the moderation team at X.

A Super Bowl Incident

During the Super Bowl, West directed heated comments towards Taylor Swift, who was present to support her partner, Travis Kelce, a player for the Kansas City Chiefs. He referenced Kendrick Lamar’s halftime show, declaring that Swift’s music undermines African American men. “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?” he exclaimed in capital letters.

History of Disputes

This commentary has reignited the ongoing feud between the two artists, a rivalry that originated during the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards when West interrupted Swift’s acceptance speech to proclaim that Beyoncé had the finest music video of all time.

Unique Super Bowl Advertisement

West also caught public attention with a unique advertisement during the Super Bowl, in which he claimed that the entire production budget had been spent on dental procedures, filming the commercial using merely an iPhone. The advertisement guided viewers to his website, Yeezy.com.

Allegations of Suppression

Prior to his exit from X, West voiced complaints about the suppression of his posts, asserting, “MY TWITTER REACH HAS BEEN LIMITED SO I AM NOT ALLOWED TO TREND DURING SUPER BOWL.” He subsequently revealed plans to launch a Discord channel instead.

Confirmation of Deactivation

Milo Yiannopoulos, a contentious figure collaborating with West’s Yeezy brand, later confirmed the deactivation, sharing, “Ye has deactivated his X account for the time being.”

A Temporary Exit?

In his concluding message prior to stepping away from the platform, West expressed gratitude to X owner Elon Musk for permitting him to express himself. “It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board. It was like an Ayahuasca trip,” he shared. “Love all of you who gave me your energy and attention. Until we connect again.”

Whether West’s departure from X is a permanent one is yet to be determined, but considering his pattern of unpredictable social media behaviour, it is probable that he will discover an alternative platform to share his controversial opinions.