Kanye West's Most Controversial Moments

Kanye West, now officially known as Ye, is undeniably one of the most influential figures in music and fashion. However, his career has also been filled with highly publicized controversies that have sparked outrage and debate. 

Here’s a look at some of his most infamous moments.

“George Bush Doesn’t Care About Black People”

In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Kanye West appeared on NBC’s live telethon, A Concert for Hurricane Relief. During the event, he went off-script while standing next to actor Mike Myers and declared, “George Bush doesn’t care about Black people.” The statement stunned viewers and quickly went viral in the early days of YouTube.

West’s remarks highlighted racial disparities in the federal government’s response to the disaster. The former president later described Kanye’s comment as one of the worst moments of his presidency.

The Taylor Swift VMA Incident

At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye stormed the stage as Taylor Swift was accepting the award for Best Female Video. Grabbing the microphone, he declared, “Sorry Taylor, Imma let you finish, but Beyoncé had one of the best videos of all time.”

The moment left Swift visibly shaken and sparked widespread backlash. Even then-President Barack Obama chimed in, calling Kanye a “jackass.” The incident fueled a years-long feud between West and Swift that resurfaced multiple times over the years.

“Slavery Was a Choice”

During a TMZ Live interview, Kanye West ignited controversy by stating, “When you hear about slavery for 400 years... That sounds like a choice.” The comment was met with immediate outrage, and TMZ reporter Van Lathan confronted Kanye on-air.

West later attempted to clarify his statement, explaining that he was referring to “mental slavery.” However, the backlash led him to apologize two months later on WGCI Chicago Radio.

“White Lives Matter” T-Shirt

At his Yeezy Season 9 show during Paris Fashion Week, Kanye wore a T-shirt emblazoned with “White Lives Matter,” a phrase associated with white supremacist groups. He was joined by conservative commentator Candace Owens, who wore a matching shirt.

The move drew criticism from fans, celebrities, and the fashion industry. Vogue editor Gabriella Karefa-Johnson criticized the stunt, leading Kanye to harass her online. His actions strained relationships with artists like Diddy and Lil Boosie. This controversy set off a chain of events that led to Kanye making antisemitic remarks.

Antisemitic Remarks and Nazi Praise

Following the “White Lives Matter” controversy, Kanye tweeted that he was going “death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE.” This statement resulted in bans from Instagram and Twitter. His antisemitic rhetoric continued in interviews, including on The Shop and Drink Champs, where he accused Jewish people of controlling the media.

His reputation hit rock bottom when he told Alex Jones on InfoWars, “I like Hitler,” causing mass condemnation, even from former supporters. Following the backlash, Adidas, which had been facing pressure for weeks, officially terminated its partnership with West, cutting ties with Yeezy and costing him his billionaire status overnight. The brand later sold off its remaining Yeezy inventory in a final clearance move.

In 2025, he ran a Super Bowl ad directing viewers to his website, where he was selling a T-shirt with a Nazi swastika. Shopify quickly shut down his store, and Elon Musk revealed that West’s Twitter account had been classified as NSFW after he posted explicit content, leading to a shadowban. 

Shortly after, West's account was temporarily deactivated. On February 19, he posted on X, “After further reflection, I’ve come to the realization that I’m not a Nazi.” However, Joe Price from Complex questioned the sincerity of this statement. 

Then, on February 28, West was spotted in Los Angeles wearing a t-shirt with a swastika. By March 6, Ye announced that his upcoming eleventh studio album, Bully, would feature “antisemitic sounds.”

Donda Academy Allegations

Donda Academy, Kanye’s private school named after his late mother, came under scrutiny after former teacher Cecilia Haley filed a lawsuit against it. She claimed the school had severe disciplinary issues, gun violence training for students, and an alarming focus on Nazi ideologies.

Haley also alleged that students were forced to march, had no access to books, and were required to sit on foam cushions instead of chairs. Another teacher reported that Kanye wanted to install jail cells in the school. The lawsuit has raised serious concerns about child safety at the institution.

Kanye’s Alleged Control Over His Wife’s Fashion

Kanye’s wife, Bianca Censori, has frequently made headlines for her revealing outfits, many of which were designed in-house at Yeezy. Some reports suggested Kanye had a controlling role in her fashion choices.

One of the most controversial moments occurred at the 2025 Grammys, where Bianca wore a completely sheer minidress. Initial reports claimed the couple was asked to leave the event, but it was later clarified that Kanye left voluntarily after walking the red carpet.

What’s Next for Kanye West?

Kanye West’s controversies have cost him partnerships with Adidas, Gap, and Balenciaga. His reputation has plummeted, yet he continues to make headlines with his unpredictable behavior. 

As legal battles surrounding Donda Academy unfold and the fallout from his antisemitic remarks continues, the question remains: Is there a path to redemption for Kanye West, or has he crossed the point of no return?

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