Kanye West leaves X after ‘antisemitic rampage’
Kanye West has deleted his X account after being criticised over a series of offensive posts on the social media platform.
The US rapper, also known as Ye, was criticised for posting “hate-filled” remarks about Jewish people.
On Friday many of his posts centred on the Jewish community and he said “I love Hitler” and “I’m a Nazi”.
Another post said: “I’m never apologising for my Jewish comments.”
Following the posts, West’s account had a “sensitive content warning” added to it.
But the 47-year-old now appears to have deleted his X account.
“I’m logging out of Twitter,” he wrote. “I appreciate [X owner] Elon [Musk] for allowing me to vent.
“It has been very cathartic to use the world as a sounding board. It was like an Ayahuasca trip.”
“Love all of you who gave me your energy and attention. To we connect again [sic]. Good afternoon and goodnight.”
During the Super Bowl show he had posted about Taylor Swift, writing: “IF ITS 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.”
Read more from Sky News:
Donald Trump makes history at Super Bowl
Labour MP ‘deeply regrets’ WhatsApp comments
More than 600 immigration arrests in January
Calls for Musk to remove West from platform
The Campaign Against Antisemitism had called on Mr Musk to remove West from X over a string of offensive posts.
A spokesperson said: “Once again, Ye has gone on an antisemitic rampage online. It couldn’t be any clearer that he is an unrepentant, proud antisemite.”
It 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.”
Friends star David Schwimmer joined the group and others urging Mr Musk to remove West from the platform because of his “hate-filled, ignorant bile”.
The US actor said on his Instagram account: “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.
“Kanye West has 32.7 million followers on your platform, X. That’s twice as many people than the number of Jews in existence. His sick hate speech results in REAL LIFE violence against Jews.
“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.”
“Silence is complicity,” he added.
Rapper has had account suspended before
It comes after West and his wife Bianca Censori caused controversy at the Grammy Awards when she wore a transparent dress on the red carpet as he stood by her.
The rapper has had his X account suspended at least twice in the past.
In October 2022, West’s account was restricted over antisemitic comments, but he returned to the platform the following month. He also made antisemitic remarks that led Adidas to cut ties with him.
In December 2022 it was suspended after he made antisemitic comments and praised Hitler.
At the time Mr Musk said the account would be suspended after Kanye posted an image appearing to show a swastika inside a Star of David.
He said the suspension was “for incitement to violence”. The account was unsuspended by July 2023.
