by Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, began posting to Twitter again on Sunday and immediately sparked controversy, and a like from the platform’s owner and CEO Elon Musk by tweeting “shalom” along with a smiley. smiling.
Ye’s Twitter and Instagram accounts were blocked last month after he violated their policies by posting anti-Semitic content. Twitter removed a post by the artist that said she “was going to her death with 3 over the JEWISH PEOPLE,” among other alarming comments. Days before, she had worn a T-shirt emblazoned with the divisive phrase “White Lives Matter.” The episode led several companies to cut ties with Ye, including her talent agency, Adidas, Gap, Balenciaga and Foot Locker.
Ye’s Twitter account was later restored, but he had been inactive on the platform since early November when he said he was on a 30-day “verbal fast.”
On Sunday, following Musk’s decision to reinstate several suspended Twitter accounts, Ye tweeted for the first time in weeks, typing: “Testing Testing See if my Twitter is unlocked.” In response to that tweet, Musk wrote: “Don’t kill what you hate. Save what you love.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The company has reportedly pushed back on its communications department.
Several hours later, Ye followed up with a second tweet that read “Shalom,” the Hebrew word for peace used by Jews as a greeting and farewell.
Although the rapper drew an immediate backlash for appearing to ignore recent controversies, his tweet garnered the support of the platform’s CEO, who liked it minutes after it was posted.
Ye repeatedly doubled down on his anti-Semitic rhetoric in the weeks following his “death with 3” tweet and refused to sincerely apologize.
Several people who had worked with him over the past decade also alleged that behind the scenes, the rapper had been making anti-Semitic statements for years.
According to NBC News, a former employee received a settlement from Ye after alleging that he praised Adolf Hitler and the Nazis during business meetings. Another business executive who worked for Ye and also received a settlement told CNN the artist had an “obsession” with the Nazi leader. Ye has denied the allegations by both employees.
Musk, who completed his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter last month, on Saturday unlocked the account of former President Donald Trump, who was banned after inciting the January 6, 2021 riot at the US Capitol. .
Musk had previously stated that he would not allow any suspended users to return to the site until the company had established procedures on how to do so, including by forming a “content moderation board.” However, he restored Trump’s account after posting a “yes” or “no” poll.
