Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, is now retracting his earlier claims about identifying as a Nazi. On Wednesday (Feb. 19), he reflected on his previous statements and took them back in a recent post on X.
“After further reflection I’ve come to the realization that I’m not a Nazi,” he wrote.
His reversal follows widespread criticism of his remarks, in which he expressed admiration for Adolf Hitler. This change of stance comes slightly more than a week after a string of antisemitic, homophobic, and hate-fueled rants he posted on X earlier in February.
“I love Hitler, how what bi—es,” Ye wrote, which he followed up with, “I’m a Nazi.” He later added, “Hitler was sooooo fresh” and “call me Yaydolf Yitler.”
The rapper had been selling T-shirts featuring a black swastika logo for $20 on his Yeezy website, but the site was taken down by Shopify, which had been hosting it.
Ye’s comments drew widespread backlash, with the Anti-Defamation League, Charlie Puth, and Lyor Cohen all denouncing his words and urging him to stop spreading antisemitic rhetoric.
“With antisemitism on the rise, your voice and influence carry a significant responsibility,” the former Def Jam president wrote in a letter to Ye. “I urge you to be more sensitive to the pain your words inflict on Jewish communities and all those who stand against hate.”
In October 2022, Ye had previously made a series of antisemitic comments, including his infamous “Death Con 3” tweet. His remarks led several major companies, including Adidas, Def Jam, Balenciaga, and Gap, to sever ties with him.
“West is not just any person — he is a pop culture icon with millions of fans around the world,” Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel wrote at the time. “And among them are young people whose views are still being formed. This is why it is necessary for all of us to speak out. Hatred and anti-Semitism should have no place in our society, no matter how much money is at stake.”
Ye also reacted to Adam Sandler’s apparent reference to him during the *SNL50: The Anniversary Special* over the weekend. The comedian sang, “50 years of finding out your favorite musician’s antisemitic.” Choosing to focus on a specific part of the lyric, Ye responded to Sandler on X, writing: “Adam Sandler Thank you for the love.”
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