Ye, the rapper previously often known as Kanye West, started posting to Twitter once more on Sunday and instantly invited controversy ― and a “like” from the platform’s proprietor and CEO Elon Musk ― by tweeting “shalom” alongside a smiley face.
Ye’s Twitter and Instagram accounts had been locked final month after he violated their insurance policies by posting antisemitic content material. Twitter took down a submit from the artist that stated he was “going loss of life con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE,” amongst different alarming feedback. Days earlier, he had worn a shirt emblazoned with the divisive phrase “White Lives Matter.” The episode prompted a number of corporations to chop ties with Ye ― together with his expertise company, Adidas, Hole, Balenciaga and Foot Locker.
Ye’s Twitter account was later restored, however he had been inactive on the platform since early November when he stated he was doing a 30-day “verbal quick.”
On Sunday, following Musk’s transfer to reinstate a number of suspended Twitter accounts, Ye tweeted for the primary time in weeks, writing: “Testing Testing Seeing if my Twitter is unblocked.” In response to that tweet, Musk wrote: “Don’t kill what ye hate. Save what ye love.”
Twitter didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark. The corporate has reportedly nixed its communications division.
A number of hours later, Ye adopted up with a second tweet that learn “Shalom,” the Hebrew phrase for peace utilized by Jewish individuals as a greeting and parting salutation.
Although the rapper attracted instant backlash for showing to make mild of latest controversies, his tweet acquired the help of the platform’s CEO, who favored it minutes after it was posted.
Ye repeatedly doubled down on his antisemitic rhetoric within the weeks following his “loss of life con 3” tweet and declined to sincerely apologize.
A number of individuals who had labored with him over the previous decade additionally got here ahead to allege that, behind the scenes, the rapper had been making antisemitic statements for years.
In line with NBC Information, one former worker obtained a settlement from Ye after alleging he praised Adolf Hitler and Nazis throughout enterprise conferences. One other enterprise government who labored for Ye and likewise obtained a settlement informed CNN the artist had an “obsession” with the Nazi chief. Ye has denied the allegations from each workers.
Musk, who finalized his $44 billion takeover of Twitter final month, on Saturday unlocked the account of former President Donald Trump, who was banned after he incited the Jan. 6, 2021, riot on the U.S. Capitol.
Musk had beforehand claimed he wouldn’t permit any suspended customers to return to the location till the corporate had established procedures on how to take action, together with by forming a “content material moderation council.” Nonetheless, he restored Trump’s account after posting a “sure” or “no” ballot.