Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kanye West

Public opinion and media debates around Kanye West—discover key moments of controversy.

Kanye West, professionally known as Ye, is a highly influential American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. Widely regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest figures, he's celebrated for his innovative and diverse musical approach. However, Ye is also known for sparking controversy through his outspoken cultural and political views, often generating polarizing reactions.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2005: Hurricane Katrina criticism

In 2005, Kanye West criticized both the media and the government's racial disparities in their response to Hurricane Katrina, stating on live television "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

November 7, 2006: Public Apology

On November 7, 2006, Kanye West publicly apologized for his outburst at the 2006 MTV Europe Music Awards during his performance as a support act for U2 in Brisbane.

December 2006: Evel Knievel Sues Kanye West

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement related to his name and likeness in the "Touch the Sky" music video. Knievel objected to the video's content and portrayal of "Evel Kanyevel", claiming it damaged his reputation.

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November 2007: Knievel and West Settle Lawsuit

In November 2007, days before his death, Robert "Evel" Knievel amicably settled the lawsuit against Kanye West after West visited him. Knievel described West as a "wonderful guy and quite a gentleman."

2009: Taylor Swift Incident

In 2009, during Taylor Swift's acceptance of her award for Best Female Video at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West interrupted her to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead. He was criticized for his actions and subsequently apologized.

November 2010: Recanting Apology

In a November 2010 interview, Kanye West seemed to recant his past apologies for the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards incident, describing his actions as "selfless".

2010: Apology for Bush comment

In 2010, Kanye West apologized for his 2005 comment about George Bush, stating he "didn't have the grounds to call [Bush] a racist".

2013: Opposition to abortion

In 2013, Kanye West voiced his opposition to abortion, citing his belief in the Sixth Commandment.

2014: West Sentenced to Probation for Battery

In 2014, Kanye West was sentenced to two years' probation for misdemeanor battery after an altercation with a paparazzo at the Los Angeles Airport. He was also required to attend anger management sessions, perform community service, and pay restitution.

2015: Civil Lawsuit Settled

In 2015, a separate civil lawsuit brought by the paparazzo against Kanye West, related to the 2014 altercation at the Los Angeles Airport, was settled a week before it was due for trial.

June 2016: Release of Champions and Famous Video

In June 2016, Kanye West released the collaborative lead single "Champions" from the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter. He also released a controversial video for "Famous" featuring wax figures of celebrities.

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December 2016: West Meets with President-Elect Trump

In December 2016, Kanye West met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago. West subsequently stated he would have voted for Trump had he voted.

February 2017: West Deletes Tweets About Trump

In February 2017, Kanye West deleted all his tweets about Donald Trump, reportedly disliking the new president's policies, especially the travel ban.

April 2018: West Reiterates Support for Trump

In April 2018, Kanye West reiterated his support for Donald Trump.

2018: Slavery statement

In 2018, Kanye West stated that the 400-year enslavement of Africans "sounds like a choice", later clarifying his comment was in reference to mental enslavement.

July 2020: Anti-abortion views

In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally, Kanye West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy but has since adopted anti-abortion views.

January 4, 2021: Publicist pressured Georgia election worker

According to Reuters, on January 4, 2021, a publicist linked to Kanye West pressured a Georgia election worker to confess to bogus charges of election tampering, with the intention of assisting Donald Trump's claims of election interference.

August 29, 2021: Donda Album Release

On August 29, 2021, Donda was released. West claimed the album was released early without his approval and that Universal had altered the tracklist.

December 2021: Secret network of Republican operatives

In December 2021, The Daily Beast reported that Kanye West's presidential campaign received millions of dollars in services from a secret network of Republican operatives, and these payments were not reported to conceal a connection.

January 2022: Julia Fox Confirms Dating Kanye West

In January 2022, Julia Fox confirmed she was dating Kanye West. During that time, West publicly expressed his desire to reunite with his family and criticized Kim Kardashian's new relationship with Pete Davidson. His behavior towards Davidson and Kardashian was described as harassment. The Grammy Awards dropped him as a performer due to his online behavior. Fox and West split less than two months later.

June 29, 2022: Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Filed

On June 29, 2022, a copyright infringement complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York, alleging unauthorized use of a sample from Marshall Jefferson's 1986 house track "Move Your Body" in Kanye West's song "Flowers".

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July 2022: West Sued by David Casavant Archive

In July 2022, Kanye West was sued for $416,000 by the fashion rental company the David Casavant Archive. The lawsuit claimed West failed to pay for and return 13 rented clothing items.

November 2022: Antisemitic statements and partnerships termination

In late November 2022, Kanye West made a series of antisemitic statements, leading to the termination of his collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships with Vogue, Universal Music Group, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas. He also appeared at a dinner hosted by Donald Trump beside Nick Fuentes, a white nationalist.

December 2022: Release of Someday We'll All Be Free Amidst Controversy

In December 2022, after weeks of controversial antisemitic statements, Kanye West released a new song, "Someday We'll All Be Free", on his Instagram.

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2022: Deeming abortion as genocide

In 2022, Kanye West deemed abortion "genocide and population control" of black people.

2022: Controversy over Antisemitic Views

Starting in 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation for his antisemitic views, leading to lost sponsors and partnerships.

January 2023: Kanye West Marries Bianca Censori

In January 2023, it was reported that Kanye West and Bianca Censori, an architect working for Yeezy, had an informal private marriage ceremony in Beverly Hills, though they did not file for a marriage license. Following West's antisemitic remarks, concerns were raised about him being denied a visa to visit Censori's family in Australia.

July 2023: Twitter ban reversed

In July 2023, Twitter reversed the ban on Kanye West's account, citing assurances from West that he would not post harmful content.

December 2023: Apology for antisemitic remarks

In December 2023, weeks before the slated release of his upcoming album, Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram.

June 29, 2024: West Travels to Russia for Designer's Birthday

On June 29, 2024, Kanye West traveled to Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy, drawing criticism and being labeled an "enemy of Ukraine" by Ukrainian politician George Tuka.

August 2024: Affidavit Alleges Nitrous Oxide Addiction

In August 2024, Milo Yiannopoulos stated in an affidavit that Kanye West was addicted to nitrous oxide, supplied by his dentist.

2024: Damon Dash comments on Kanye West's behavior

In 2024, Damon Dash described Kanye West as "a person that pulls triggers", characterizing his actions as "one publicity stunt after another".

2024: Multiple Lawsuits Filed Against West

In 2024, Kanye West faced three lawsuits: one for racial discrimination filed in April by a former security guard, one for wrongful termination and sexual harassment filed in June by a former assistant, and one for sexual assault and strangulation filed in November by a former model.

February 2025: Professed love for Hitler and Super Bowl ad

In February 2025, Kanye West professed his love for Hitler on Twitter and purchased local advertising during Super Bowl LIX which directed viewers to his website, where he was selling a swastika T-shirt.

April 2025: Incestuous relationship revelation

In April 2025, Kanye West revealed that he and a male cousin had an incestuous relationship as children, beginning when they attempted reenacting what they saw in gay pornography magazines that West had discovered in his mother's closet.

April 2025: West Claims Censori Left Him in Song

In April 2025, West claimed in his song "Bianca" that Censori had left him after his controversial Twitter comments, but he later shared a photo indicating they were still together.

May 2025: West and Censori Sue Dentist

In May 2025, Kanye West and Bianca Censori sued dentist Thomas Connelly for "medical malpractice, professional negligence, and related tortious and contractual violations" due to his alleged role in facilitating West's nitrous oxide addiction.

May 2025: Rolling Stone describes West as pariah

In May 2025, Rolling Stone wrote that Kanye West's social media tirades had turned him into "a cultural and business pariah".

July 2025: Sexual Assault Allegations Added to Lawsuit

In July 2025, the former assistant amended the lawsuit against Kanye West to include allegations of stalking, sexual battery, sex trafficking, and false imprisonment.