Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Kanye West

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

Kanye West, also known as Ye, is a highly influential American rapper, singer, and record producer recognized for his significant impact on hip-hop. Celebrated for his innovative and evolving musical style, he is often considered one of the greatest rappers ever. However, West's artistic achievements are frequently juxtaposed with his controversial public image and often polarizing commentary on cultural and political issues.

Sections (6)

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

2005: "George Bush Doesn't Care About Black People"

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

November 7, 2006: Public 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's Vertigo concert in Brisbane.

December 2006: Robert "Evel" Knievel Sues Kanye West

In December 2006, Robert "Evel" Knievel sued Kanye West for trademark infringement related to West's video for "Touch the Sky." Knievel argued that the video, where West takes on the persona of "Evel Kanyevel", was vulgar, offensive, and damaged his reputation.

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November 2007: Settlement of Knievel Lawsuit

In November 2007, shortly before his death, Robert "Evel" Knievel amicably settled his lawsuit against Kanye West after a visit from West. Knievel stated that he found West to be a wonderful guy and a gentleman.

2009: MTV Video Music Awards Incident

In 2009, during the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye West interrupted Taylor Swift's acceptance speech to proclaim that Beyoncé deserved the award instead, leading to widespread criticism and his removal from the show.

November 2010: Seeming Recantation of 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: West Apologizes for Bush Comment

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

2013: West Voices Opposition to Abortion

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

2014: Sentenced to Probation After Altercation with Paparazzo

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

2015: Settlement of Civil Lawsuit with Paparazzo

In 2015, a separate civil lawsuit brought by the paparazzo involved in the 2014 altercation with Kanye West 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", depicting wax figures of celebrities sleeping nude in a shared bed.

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February 2017: Deletion of Pro-Trump Tweets

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

April 2018: Reiteration of Support for Donald Trump

In April 2018, Kanye West reiterated his support for Donald Trump, despite previously deleting pro-Trump tweets, indicating a complex and evolving political viewpoint.

2018: 400-Year Enslavement Comment

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

July 2020: West Discusses Political Ignorance

In July 2020, Kanye West admitted to Forbes that he was not knowledgeable on topics such as taxes and foreign policy during his presidential campaign.

July 2020: West Reveals Consideration of Abortion

In July 2020, 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 Election Worker

According to reports from Reuters, on January 4, 2021, a publicist linked to Kanye West pressured a Georgia election worker to confess to false allegations of election tampering to support Donald Trump's claims.

August 29, 2021: Release of Donda

On August 29, 2021, after multiple delays and listening parties, Kanye West's album Donda was released. West claimed the album was released early without his approval and that Universal altered the tracklist.

December 2021: Campaign Finance Irregularities Reported

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 payments not properly reported, potentially concealing a connection.

January 2022: Dating Julia Fox and Public Criticism of Pete Davidson

In January 2022, Julia Fox confirmed she was dating Kanye West. During this time, West publicly expressed his desire to reconcile with his family and criticized Kim Kardashian's new relationship with Pete Davidson. His behavior towards Davidson and Kardashian was widely condemned, leading to the 64th Annual Grammy Awards dropping him as a performer.

June 29, 2022: Copyright Infringement Complaint for "Flowers"

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

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July 2022: Lawsuit by David Casavant Archive for Unreturned Rentals

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

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 and Population Control'

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

2022: Antisemitic Statements and Fallout

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

2022: Condemnation for antisemitic views

Starting in 2022, Kanye West faced widespread condemnation and lost sponsorships and partnerships due to his antisemitic views.

January 2023: Informal Marriage to Bianca Censori

In January 2023, it was reported that Kanye West had an informal marriage ceremony with Bianca Censori, an architect working for Yeezy. The ceremony, held in Beverly Hills, was not legally binding. In response to West's trips to Australia, concerns were raised about his potential visa denial due to his antisemitic remarks.

July 2023: Twitter Reinstates West's Account

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

December 2023: West Apologizes for Antisemitic Remarks

In December 2023, Kanye West apologized for his antisemitic remarks in a written statement on Instagram, but in a subsequent interview, he said "[s]ome of the stuff I was saying was true" and that Black people cannot be antisemitic because they "are Jew".

June 29, 2024: Trip to Moscow for Gosha Rubchinskiy's Birthday

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

August 2024: Allegations of Nitrous Oxide Addiction

In August 2024, Kanye West's former Chief of Staff, Milo Yiannopoulos, stated in an affidavit that West was addicted to nitrous oxide and that dentist Thomas Connelly was allegedly supplying the drugs for $50,000 a month.

2024: Lawsuits for Wrongful Termination and Sexual Assault

In 2024, Kanye West faced multiple lawsuits. He was sued for wrongful termination, sexual harassment, and breach of contract by a former assistant, allegations he denied. Additionally, he was sued by a former model for sexual assault and strangulation, where she claimed he choked and gagged her during a music video set.

February 2025: Antisemitic Rant on X and Super Bowl Ad

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: West Describes Incestuous Relationship

In April 2025, Kanye West said that he and a male cousin had an incestuous relationship as children, beginning when they attempted reenacting what they saw in gay pornography magazines. West said that he performed oral sex on his cousin until he was 14, when he ended the relationship.

April 2025: Claimed Separation and Reconciliation with Bianca Censori

In April 2025, West claimed in his song "Bianca" that Censori had left him following his controversial Twitter comments. However, later that month, West shared a photo indicating that they were still together, contradicting the earlier claim.

May 2025: Lawsuit Against Thomas Connelly

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