Ye, the artist formerly known as Kanye West, is being taken to court by Trevor Phillips, a past employee, alleging that Ye has made a series of controversial and offensive remarks.
Filed in a Los Angeles court, the lawsuit details accusations against Ye for making antisemitic and anti-LGBTQ+ comments, among others. Phillips, who was initially hired for projects involving cotton for Yeezy before moving to work at Donda Academy, claims Ye likened himself to Adolf Hitler in a positive light, excluding the holocaust aspect, and expressed derogatory views towards Jews and the LGBTQ+ community.
The lawsuit alleges that Ye’s problematic statements were not confined to private conversations but were also made in front of staff and students at Donda Academy. This included negative stereotypes about Jews and LGBTQ+ individuals and bizarre claims such as LGBTQ+ people being controlled by Bill Gates for population control.
Phillips contends that his attempts to challenge Ye’s bigotry were met with harsh retaliation, including harassment and threats of violence, some of which purportedly occurred in front of schoolchildren and their parents.
The filing also recounts instances where Ye’s behaviour was deeply inappropriate, including an incident where he simulated masturbation during a meeting and made threats of physical violence. Moreover, the lawsuit highlights a pattern of controversial actions and statements by Ye, including his public outbursts of antisemitism, his alignment with right-wing figures, and the backlash from the fashion and music industries resulting in severed ties with major brands.
Ye’s history of incendiary remarks has been a source of ongoing controversy, culminating in a broad condemnation and significant repercussions for his career and business relationships. The lawsuit by Phillips adds to the legal and public relations challenges facing Ye, amidst efforts to navigate the fallout from his actions and statements over recent years.
