Kanye West Called Himself 'Hitler,' Made Abusive and Sexist Remarks, Ex Yeezy Employee Alleges in New Lawsuit

Mar. 15, 2025

Kanye West is seen on March 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

The employee, identified as Jane Done, filed her complaint in the Superior Court of Los Angeles County on Tuesday, Feb. 11.

Per the court documents, West allegedly began to call himself “Hitler” and a “Nazi,” and threatened Doe because she was Jewish. He allegedly insulted her on several occasions, calling her a “bitch,” and “ugly” and “spewed hate speech against” her religion.

In January 2024, West’s then-forthcoming albumVultures Vol. 1was widely criticized as its cover was compared to Nazi symbolism. Doe said in her filing that she told a co-worker West should openly condemn “any ties with Nazism” to “quell the negative attention.” West allegedly replied via text with, “I Am A Nazi.”

Also in January 2024, the complaint claims that West allegedly sent a photo of a nude female to a group chat that included Doe. “The unwelcome exposure to such nudity made Plaintiff feel uncomfortable and deeply unsettled,” the lawsuit states. “However, Plaintiff did her best to ignore it and persevered through Ye’s constant degradation of women.”

West’s alleged conduct continued throughout early 2024. On June 4, the complaint claims that he texted Doe and other co-workers of Jewish descent, “Welcome to the first day of working for Hitler,” according to the filing. West then allegedly removed Doe and two other Jewish employees from the group chat temporarily. After adding them back in, West told them, “F— both of you,” before deleting from the chat again, Doe claims.

Kanye West at the Grammys in Los Angeles on Feb. 2, 2025.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In a group chat exhibited in the complaint, West allegedly wrote a verbal Nazi greeting amid a series of profanity-laced texts, writing “You what’s left after I said deathcon.”

West also used the “deathcon” phrase in a2022 tweetwhen he wrote, “I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I wake up I’m going death con 3 on JEWISH PEOPLE…” Doe alleged West’s text was a direct threat against her.

The following day, on June 5, Doe was terminated via email.

Screenshots of the text messages sent from someone listed as “Ye Private” and “Kanye West” were included in the court documents.

Doe is suing West, alleging discrimination, a hostile work environment, retaliation for engaging in protected activity, failure to prevent discrimination, harassment, or retaliation, breach of express oral contract to pay wages at a certain amount, negligent hiring, supervision and retention, wrongful termination, whistleblower retaliation, retaliation for reporting working conditions, intentional infliction of emotional distress, violation of the Ralph Act and sex, religion, national origin and/or gender discrimination in violation of the Tom Bane Civil Rights Act.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

According toCalifornia’s Civil Rights Department, the Ralph Act “protects you from violence against you or your property because of your race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, and other protected characteristics.”

source: people.com