Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kanye West

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

Kanye West, now known as Ye, is an influential American rapper, singer, and record producer, considered a major figure in hip-hop. He is recognized for his diverse musical approach and often controversial opinions on culture and politics. Despite being celebrated as one of the greatest rappers, his artistic accomplishments are frequently overshadowed by his public controversies and persona.

Sections (6)

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

2005: Criticism of George Bush During Hurricane Katrina

In a 2005 speech, Kanye West criticized the government's response to Hurricane Katrina and stated on live television, "George Bush doesn't care about black people".

November 7, 2006: Apology for MTV Europe Music Awards Outburst

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: Robert "Evel" Knievel sues Kanye West for trademark infringement

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement related to West's video for "Touch the Sky". Knievel claimed the video damaged his reputation and sought damages and an injunction. West's attorneys argued the video was satire.

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November 2007: Evel Knievel settles lawsuit with Kanye West

In November 2007, just days before his death, Evel Knievel amicably settled the trademark infringement lawsuit with Kanye West after being visited by West.

2009: Interruption at the MTV Video Music Awards

At the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech, leading to widespread criticism and internet memes.

November 2010: Recanting Apology

In a November 2010 interview, Kanye West appeared to recant his previous apologies for interrupting Taylor Swift at the 2009 MTV Video Music Awards, describing his act as "selfless".

2010: End of Relationship with Amber Rose

In 2010, Kanye West and model Amber Rose ended their relationship. Following their split, West made disparaging remarks that led to Rose feeling bullied and slut-shamed.

2010: Apology for Bush Comments

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 altercation with paparazzo

In 2014, following an altercation with a paparazzo at Los Angeles Airport, West was sentenced to two years' probation, anger management sessions, community service, and restitution for misdemeanor battery.

2015: Civil lawsuit brought by paparazzo settled

In 2015, a week before it was due for trial, a separate civil lawsuit brought by the paparazzo from the 2014 altercation, was settled.

June 2016: Release of 'Champions' and 'Famous' Video

In June 2016, Kanye West released the collaborative lead single 'Champions' off the GOOD Music album Cruel Winter, which has yet to be released. Later that month, West released a controversial video for 'Famous', depicting wax figures of several celebrities sleeping nude in a shared bed.

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December 2016: West meets with President-elect Donald Trump

In December 2016, West met with President-elect Donald Trump to discuss bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago.

2016: West's conviction expunged from criminal record

In 2016, an appeal to have West's conviction expunged from his criminal record was granted by a judge.

February 2017: West deletes tweets about Donald Trump

In February 2017, West deleted all his tweets about Donald Trump in purported dislike of the new president's policies, particularly the travel ban.

April 2018: West reiterates his support for Donald Trump

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

2018: Statement on Enslavement

In 2018, Kanye West stated that the 400-year enslavement of Africans "sounds like a choice", later clarifying his comment was about mental enslavement. He later apologized for the remark.

July 4, 2020: Presidential Election Announcement

On July 4, 2020, Kanye West announced via Twitter his intention to run in the 2020 presidential election.

July 15, 2020: Filing Paperwork with the Federal Election Commission

On July 15, 2020, Kanye West filed official paperwork with the Federal Election Commission under the "BDY" Party affiliation, amidst claims that he was preparing to drop out of the race.

July 2020: Acknowledgment of Possible Divorce

In July 2020, Kanye West acknowledged the possibility of Kim Kardashian ending their marriage due to his adoption of anti-abortion views and wrote that he had been attempting to divorce Kardashian. He also claimed his family was trying to "lock [him] up".

July 2020: Statements on Taxes and Foreign Policy

In July 2020, Kanye West stated to Forbes that he was ignorant on issues such as taxes and foreign policy during his presidential campaign.

July 2020: Consideration of Abortion Revelation

In July 2020, during a presidential campaign rally, Kanye West revealed that he had previously considered abortion during Kim Kardashian's first pregnancy.

January 4, 2021: Pressure on Georgia Election Worker

On January 4, 2021, a publicist connected to Kanye West reportedly pressured a Georgia election worker to falsely confess to election tampering, supporting claims of election interference.

August 29, 2021: Release of 'Donda'

After multiple delays, 'Donda' was released on August 29, 2021. West claimed the album was released early without his approval and alleged that Universal had altered the tracklist.

December 2021: Report on Campaign Finance Irregularities

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, with the payments unreported 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 month, West publicly expressed his desire to get his "family back" and criticized Kim Kardashian's new boyfriend, Pete Davidson. His actions were viewed as harassment, leading to the Grammy Awards dropping him as a performer due to his online behavior. Fox later stated their relationship was brief and intended to create public interest and divert attention from Kardashian.

June 29, 2022: Copyright infringement complaint filed against West for unauthorized sample use on 'Flowers'

On June 29, 2022, a complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in New York claiming copyright infringement due to the unauthorized use of a sample on the song "Flowers". The complaint alleges that West sampled Marshall Jefferson's 1986 house track "Move Your Body" without permission or compensation.

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July 2022: West sued by David Casavant Archive for $416,000

In July 2022, West was sued for $416,000 by the fashion rental company the David Casavant Archive. The lawsuit claimed that West had failed to make payments on and return 13 rented pieces.

October 2022: Decrease in Net Worth

In October 2022, Forbes estimated Kanye West's net worth to have dropped to $400 million, largely due to Adidas terminating their partnership following a series of public antisemitic statements.

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

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: Abortion as Genocide

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

2022: Antisemitic Statements and Termination of Partnerships

In late 2022, Kanye West made a series of antisemitic statements, resulting in the termination of his collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships with Vogue, Universal Music Group, CAA, Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas.

2022: Controversy and condemnation for antisemitic views

Starting in 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation and lost sponsors and partnerships due to his antisemitic views, including praising Adolf Hitler and using swastika imagery.

January 2023: Kanye West informally marries Bianca Censori

In January 2023, Kanye West and Bianca Censori, who works for West's Yeezy brand, had a private ceremony in Beverly Hills, but it was not legally binding. Following West's trips to Australia, there were discussions about denying him a visa due to his antisemitic remarks.

July 2023: Reinstatement on Twitter

In July 2023, Twitter reinstated Kanye West's account after he assured them that he would not post harmful content.

December 2023: Apology for Antisemitic Remarks

In December 2023, Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram. He subsequently made further controversial statements.

June 29, 2024: West attends Gosha Rubchinskiy's birthday in Moscow

On June 29, 2024, West traveled to Moscow, Russia, to celebrate the 40th birthday of Russian fashion designer Gosha Rubchinskiy. Following the trip, West was labeled an "enemy of Ukraine".

August 2024: Affidavit alleges West's addiction to nitrous oxide

In August 2024, West's former Chief of Staff Milo Yiannopoulos stated in an affidavit that West was addicted to nitrous oxide, allegedly supplied by his dentist Thomas Connelly.

2024: West sued multiple times

In 2024, West faced three lawsuits. One by a former security guard alleging racial discrimination, another by a former assistant accusing him of wrongful termination and sexual harassment, and a third by a former model alleging sexual assault and strangulation during a music video set.

2024: Intention to Run for President in 2024

Kanye West initially stated his intention to run for president in 2024 at a November 2019 event, though he later withdrew.

February 2025: Antisemitic Rant and Super Bowl Advertising

In February 2025, Kanye West went on an antisemitic rant on X, professing his love for Hitler, and purchased local advertising during Super Bowl LIX, which directed viewers to his website where he was selling a swastika t-shirt. He also defended Sean Combs from sexual abuse allegations.

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April 2025: Revelation of Childhood Incestuous Relationship

In April 2025, Kanye West revealed that he and a male cousin had an incestuous relationship as children, starting when they attempted reenacting what they saw in gay pornography magazines found in his mother's closet. The relationship involved oral sex until he was 14, when he ended it.

April 2025: West releases song 'Bianca' claiming Censori left him

In April 2025, West claimed in the song "Bianca" that Censori had left him following his controversial Twitter comments. Later that month, West shared a photo showing that they were still together.

May 2025: Pariah Status

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

May 2025: West and Censori sue dentist for medical malpractice

In May 2025, West and Censori sued dentist Thomas Connelly for "medical malpractice, professional negligence, and related tortious and contractual violations", alleging Connelly's role in facilitating West's nitrous oxide addiction led to increased confusion, mood instability, anxiety, and depression.

July 2025: Lawsuit against West amended to include sexual assault charges

In July 2025, the lawsuit filed by West's former assistant was amended to include charges of sexual assault, stalking, sexual battery, sex trafficking, and false imprisonment. West denied the allegations and planned to countersue for "sexual coercion".