Kanye West news – live: Elon Musk tells rapper ‘FAFO’ as he is suspended from Twitter for posting swastika

Elon Musk has had the last word against Kanye West after he suspended the antisemitic rapper from Twitter for posting a Nazi symbol inside the Star of David.

West shared the offensive image on Thursday night – just hours after he professed “I like Hitler” while joining far-right conspiracy theorist and Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones on his radio show. He then posted a photo of a topless Musk on a yacht.

The disgraced rapper’s account was suspended over the Nazi symbol for violating Twitter’s policy against inciting violence, with Musk telling his followers “I tried my best”.

Behind the scenes, the two men appeared to get into a spat over the incident, with West sharing screenshots of messages he had apparently received from Musk through Donald Trump’s social media platform Truth Social.

“Who made you the judge,” West fired at the tech billionaire.

But, Musk had the last word, making a final dig against West in a follow-up tweet. “FAFO,” he simply wrote, meaning: “F*** Around and Find Out.”

The Twitter suspension and Nazi diatribe on Jones’ show comes after West was recently dumped by Adidas, GAP and Balenciaga over a string of antisemitic comments.

Key Points

• Kanye West suspended from Twitter after posting swastika inside Star of David

• ‘I like Hitler’: Kanye West praises Nazi during Alex Jones interview

• American writer Touré brands Kanye West ‘disgusting’ over comments

• Kanye West slams Elon Musk and gives Nick Fuentes and Alex Jones power to run his Twitter in antisemitic rant

• Video: Kanye West admits he ‘likes’ Hitler in shocking new interview

Inside the long-term bromance between Kanye West and Elon Musk

14:15 , Rachel Sharp

One is an anti-Semitic superstar rapper running for president. The other is the richest man in the world who spends his days posting memes to the social media platform he purchased on a whim. And both have been friends for more than a decade.

Elon Musk and Kanye West don’t appear to have much in common at first glance, but the pair have a years-long relationship that may explain why the former is still backing the latter despite the rapper’s numerous anti-Semitic comments.

Mr Musk and Mr West first met in 2011, when the SpaceX owner gave the rapper a private tour of the company’s rocket factory.

“Kanye stopped by the SpaceX rocket factory today,” Musk tweeted at the time.

In 2020, Mr Musk recalled their friendship fondly, responding to a photo of the men together at the factory by calling it a “hell of a decade.”

The Independent’s Graig Graziosi delves into the bromance:

Elon Musk and Kanye West’s decade long bromance explained

Piers Morgan says Kanye West is ‘revelling in causing maximum offence'

13:55 , Rachel Sharp

Piers Morgan has said that, when he recently spoke to Kanye West, it was clear to him that the disgraced rapper was “revelling in causing maximum offence”.

“I had a lengthy text exchange with Kanye ‘Ye’ West the other day which indicated he’s now revelling in causing maximum offence,” he tweeted on Friday morning.

“He wasn’t just racist, and anti-Semitic, but horribly homophobic too - and his latest pro-Hitler rant is sadly more evidence he’s lost the plot.”

Kanye West suspended from Twitter over swastika

13:35 , Rachel Sharp

Kanye West’s Twitter account has been suspended after he violated the platform’s policy against inciting violence by posting a design of a swastika inside the Star of David.

Twitter boss and tech-billionaire Elon Musk confirmed the suspension on Thursday (1 December), tweeting that he had “tried his best” to persuade the rapper not to share such posts.

On Thursday night, West shared the image of the Nazi symbol over the Star of David, a symbol of Judaism.

The Independent’s Ellie Harrison has the full story:

Elon Musk suspends Kanye West from Twitter after swastika post

Zack Fox fans resurface comedian’s 2018 tweet about Kanye

13:15 , Rachel Sharp

A 2018 tweet from comedian Zack Fox has been making the rounds after Kanye West claimed he “likes Hitler”.

West’s comments have been widely denounced on social media, with figures such as Frozen star Josh Gad speaking out against the message.

Among the reaction, a screenshot of an old tweet from comedian Zack Fox has been recirculated on the platform.

In a tweet posted originally in September 2018, Fox said: “Highly recommend getting off the Kanye train before it inevitably reaches the ‘Hitler was a good guy’ stop.”

Fellow comedian Felonious Munk reposted Fox’s tweet on Thursday and added the caption: “My son told y’all.”

What does FAFO mean?

12:55 , Rachel Sharp

Elon Musk appeared to tell Kanye West to “FAFO” in a single word tweet on Thursday night.

The Twitter boss suspended the antisemitic rapper from the platform for posting a Nazi symbol inside the Star of David.

After confirming West’s account had been suspended for violating Twitter’s policy against inciting violence, Musk posted the not-so-subtle tweet “FAFO”.

The acronym stands for “F*** Around and Find Out”.

Trump fires off series of Truth Social posts – but ignores Kanye scandal

12:35 , Rachel Sharp

Donald Trump fired off a series of Truth Social posts on Thursday night – but continued to ignore the escalating scandal surrounding Kanye West.

Last week, Mr Trump hosted the antisemitic rapper and white nationalist Nick Fuentes for dinner at Mar-a-Lago.

The meeting led to widespread condemnation of the former president including from several top Republicans who called on Mr Trump to condemn Mr Fuentes and his white supremacist beliefs.

Following West’s latest round of antisemitism, Mr Trump has failed to comment.

He posted several articles and rants on his Truth Social platform on Thursday night – none of them addressing the controversy.

In one post, he attacked an Associated Press reporter for revealing that his aides are pushing to reinstate practices meant to keep him from meeting with embarrassing guests at his club or elsewhere.

He suggested that the story was “fake news” because of the “very strong security” at his club, but said he was “not going to have [his] guests stripped searched,” especially when he knows someone as he did Mr West.

Over the next few hours, he posted a series of links to articles including one taking aim at Senator Mitch McConnell titled: “Ditch Mitch?”

Another post included a link to a blog with the title: “Donald Trump 2022: Forged in a crucible of hot white fire.”

Kim Kardashian silent on ex-husband’s latest antisemitic tirade

12:16 , Rachel Sharp

Kim Kardashian has so far stayed silent on her ex-husband Kanye West’s latest antisemitic tirade.

On Thursday, West appeared on far-right conspiracy theorist and Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones’ radio show where he professed “I like Hitler”.

Hours later, he then posted a Nazi symbol inside the Star of David on Twitter – prompting his suspension from the platform.

Kardashian is yet to address her former husband’s shocking antics and was spotted stepping out in Miami with her sister Khloe Kardashian during Art Basel on Thursday night.

West’s latest in a growing list of shocking actions comes days after the former couple’s divorce settlement was finalised, ordering West to pay Kardashian $200,000 in monthly child support.

What has Kanye West done now? Hitler remarks, Elon Musk feud and falling net worth

11:51 , Rachel Sharp

Kanye West is experiencing yet another backlash after making a series of antisemitic remarks during interviews and on social media.

The rapper, who has been involved in various controversies over the years, appeared on right-wing commentator Alex Jones’ show Infowars on Thursday (1 December).

During his interview, West made the shocking declaration that he “likes Hitler”, sparking a fresh wave of condemnation from celebrities and former fans.

Previously, West had been dropped by both Adidas and Balenciaga over “hateful and dangerous” comments relating to Jewish people.

Here’s a timeline of Kanye West’s controversies:

A timeline of all Kanye West’s latest controversies

Kanye West condemned by Simon Wiesenthal Center

11:25 , Rachel Sharp

ICYMI: Founder and CEO of the SWC Rabbi Marvin Hier and the Associate Dean and Global Social Action Director of the SWC Rabbi Abraham Cooper condemned the rapper in a statement on Thursday.

“History teaches us that words and ideas can have profound consequences. Kanye West’s serial anti-Semitism is now accompanied with the deconstruction of evil. Louis Farrakhan, America’s godfather of hate called Hitler ‘a great man.’ Following in his footsteps, Kanye West—influencer of millions—now touts Hitler as ‘bringing something of value to the table.’ Yes Kanye, what Hitler brought to the table was genocide, racism, and a world war that killed tens of millions and almost destroyed our civilization. Before he had the power to act, back in 1919, Hitler already outlined his vision of ‘the final removal of Jews.’”

Edward Snowden claims Kanye ‘not gunna be president’ after antisemitic remarks

11:05 , Rachel Sharp

ICYMI: Famed leaker and dissident Edward Snowden is the latest person to weigh in on Kanye West’s continued antisemitic rantings.

Snowden, no stranger to angering the US political system—though for very different reasons that West of course—took to Twitter on Thursday to argue that the rapper’s recent behaviour means he won’t get elected in 2024.

“Turns out Kanye is not gonna be president,” Snowden wrote.

Here’s our reporting on West’s 2024 ambitions.

Kanye West says he asked Donald Trump to be his 2024 presidential running mate

Is Kanye West’s 2024 presidential bid really that far-fetched?

Elon Musk has the last word against Kanye West: ‘FAFO’

10:45 , Rachel Sharp

Elon Musk has had the last word against Kanye West after he suspended the antisemitic rapper from Twitter for posting a Nazi symbol inside the Star of David.

The tech billionaire, who had welcomed the disgraced star back to the platform only weeks earlier, posted the not-so-subtle tweet “FAFO” late on Thursday night.

The acronym stands for “F*** Around and Find Out” – sending a clear message to West that he had gone too far and was no longer welcome on Twitter.

The Independent’s Rachel Sharp has the full story:

Elon Musk’s final word to Kanye West after suspending him from Twitter

In other news, Kim Kardashian and Kanye West officially finalise their divorce

10:25 , Rachel Sharp

Kim Kardashian and her ex-husband, Kanye West, have finalised their divorce.

The couple split at the beginning of 2021, ending their eight-year marriage.

West, now known as Ye, will pay $200,000 (£167,000) in child support to the reality TV star.

Though the two were declared legally single at Kardashian’s request in March, issues of property and custody remained.

Ye and Kardashian will have “equal access” to their children North, 9, Saint, 6, Chicago, 4, and Psalm, 3 according to the documents filed in Los Angeles Superior Court.

Get the full story via Independent TV.

William and Kate meet young fan dressed as Royal Guard

Trump silent after dinner guest Kanye West says ‘I like Hitler’ on Alex Jones’ show

10:05 , Rachel Sharp

ICYMI: Just over a week after he hosted disgraced rapper turned antisemite Kanye West and a pair of racist, internet trolls for dinner at his Palm Beach, Florida country club, former president Donald Trump remained largely silent in the hours after the rapper told conspiracy theorist Alex Jones that he is a fan of the late genocidal Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler.

Mr West made the shocking disclosure during an appearance on Jones’ Infowars program alongside Nick Fuentes, the avowed white nationalist who was one of a trio of guests who accompanied him to dinner with Mr Trump last week.

After the conspiracy theorist said the onetime Grammy winner was “not a Nazi” and did not deserve to be “demonized,” Mr West interjected. He told Mr Jones that he sees “good things about Hitler,” the dictator who kicked off the Second World War by invading Poland and masterminded the murder of 10,000,000 people — including 6,000,000 Jews from Germany and across Europe — in the mass genocide now known as the Holocaust.

Andrew Feinberg reports from Washington.

Trump silent after dinner guest Kanye West says ‘I like Hitler’ on Alex Jones’ show

Musk’s message to Kanye: “FAFO"

09:45 , Rachel Sharp

Elon Musk had the last word against Kanye West after he suspended the antisemitic rapper from Twitter for posting a Nazi symbol inside the Star of David.

West shared the offensive image on Twitter – just hours after he professed “I like Hitler” while joining far-right conspiracy theorist and Sandy Hook denier Alex Jones on his radio show.

He then posted a photo of a topless Musk on a yacht.

The rapper’s account was suspended over the Nazi symbol for violating Twitter’s policy against inciting violence.

Behind the scenes, the two men appeared to get into a spat over the incident, with West sharing screenshots of messages he had apparently received from Musk through Donald Trump’s social media platform Truth Social.

“Sorry, but you have gone too far. This is not love,” Musk said.

“Who made you the judge,” West fired back, before sharing a screenshot that his account was suspended.

Musk then told his Twitter followers that he had “tried my best” with the antisemitic rapper but that his account had to go because he “violated our rule against incitement to violence”.

He then made light of the “unflattering” topless photo of himself, claiming that he found it “helpful motivation to lose weight”.

Then, in a final follow-up tweet, he made a final dig against West, simply writing: “FAFO”

The term means: “F*** Around and Find Out.”

Elon Musk makes light of Kanye West’s ‘unflattering’ photo of him

09:23 , Rachel Sharp

Elon Musk has made light of Kanye West posting an “unflattering” photo of him, claiming that he found it “helpful motivation to lose weight”.

The new Twitter boss suspended the antisemitic rapper from the social media platform after he posted an image of a swastika inside the Star of David.

After posting the offensive image, West, also known as Ye, then also shared a photo of Musk topless on a yacht.

West’s account was suspended over the Nazi symbol for violating Twitter’s policy against inciting violence.

After lamenting that he “tried my best” with West, Musk added in a follow-up tweet that the suspension was not related to the half-naked photo of him.

“Just clarifying that his account is being suspended for incitement to violence, not an unflattering pic of me being hosed by Ari,” he tweeted, before jokingly adding: “Frankly, I found those pics to be helpful motivation to lose weight!”

Kanye deletes Fuentes tweets after controversial Mar-a-Lago dinner

08:29 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Antisemitic rapper Kanye West has apparently scrubbed his Twitter account of any mention of his latest cohort, which includes white supremacist vlogger Nick Fuentes and right-wing provocateur Milo Yiannopoulos.

West has been the centre of controversy for more than a month after he began publicly spouting antisemitic messages and hanging around with far-right media figures. Last month, West attended a dinner with Donald Trump where he told the former president that he intended to run for the Oval Office in 2024.

The rapper also brought Mr Fuentes along with him. In past videos, Fuentes has called on Mr Trump — should he win in 2024 —to halt elections and rule the US as a dictator.

In a now-deleted video he posted after the meeting, West claimed Mr Trump was impressed with Mr Fuentes, who has previously denied the Holocaust occurred.

Graig Graziosi has the story.

Kanye deletes Fuentes tweets after controversial Mar-a-Lago dinner

Kanye West suspended from Twitter after posting swastika inside Star of David

08:17 , Johanna Chisholm

Kanye West’s Twitter account has been suspended after he violated the platform’s policy against inciting violence by posting a design of a swastika inside the Star of David.

Twitter boss and tech-billionaire Elon Musk confirmed the suspension on Thursday (1 December), tweeting that he had “tried his best” to persuade the rapper not to share such posts.

On Thursday night, West shared the image of the Nazi symbol over the Star of David, a symbol of Judaism.

He then shared an image of Musk half-naked on a yacht. “Let’s always remember this as my final tweet,” West wrote.

“That is fine,” Musk replied on the image of himself topless. “This is not,” he wrote on the since-deleted swastika tweet.

Ellie Harrison has more details here.

Elon Musk suspends Kanye West from Twitter after swastika post

Republican Jewish group condemns latest ‘vile' Kanye West antisemitism

07:04 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Kanye West may be moving increasingly to the right, but his recent virulently antisemitic remarls are winning him few friends with Jewish Republicans.

“We vehemently condemn those comments and calll on all political leaders to reject these messengers of hate and relegate them to the dustbin of history where they belong,” The Republican Jewish Coalition said on Thursday in a statement, following the rapper’s interview with Alex Jones, where he praised Hitler.

“Given his parise of Hitler, it can’t be overstated that Kanye West is a vile, repellent bigot who has targeted the Jewish community with threats and Nazi-style defamation,” the RJC continued. “Conservatives who have mistakenly indulged Kanye West must make it clear that he is a pariah. Enough is enough.”

Kanye West rails against January 6 ‘political prisoners'

06:01 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Kanye West appears to be throwing his support behind the right-wing demonstrators who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021.

In a Thursday tweet, Mr West railed against what he called the “civil rights and due process violations” against the “J6 political prisoners.”

“Why were the only people killed unarmed protestors that day?” he added.

The tweet echos far-right talking points around January 6, which have sought to cast the insurrection as an innocent demonstration, rather than an armed attempt to stop the certification of the 2020 election results, where protestors carried zip ties, chanted “Hang Mike Pence,” and injured countless police officers.

Widow of DC police officer who killed himself after 6 January riot says his death should be considered in the line of duty

Trump defended rioters chanting ‘Hang Mike Pence’, witness tells Jan 6 committee

Right-wingers appear to take over Kanye West’s Twitter account

05:10 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: It appears, as Ye has suggested, that right-wing figures like Nick Fuentes are now using his Twitter account to reach its more than 32 million followers.

“Christ is King — America First, GROYPER! - NJF” read one tweet, a seeming reference to Fuentes, a Holocaust denier, and his reactionary “groyper” followers.

Here’s our full story on the rapper’s escalating right-wing behaviour.

Kanye West slams Elon Musk and says Alex Jones will run Twitter account in rant

Josh Gad leads condemnation of Kanye West after rapper says he ‘likes Hitler’

04:04 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Kanye West praised Adolf Hitler during an appearance on Alex Jones’s far-right conspiracy theorist network Infowars.

West has been embroiled in controversy over antisemitic comments he’s made in recent months, leading brands like Adidas, Gap and Balenciaga to cut ties with the rapper.

Appearing on Jones’s show on Thursday (1 December), the host attempted to defend the musician, saying: “You’re not Hitler, you’re not a Nazi, so you don’t deserve to be demonised.”

Instead of agreeing, West pushed back, saying: “Well, I see good things about Hitler also.”

Tom Murray has the full story.

Josh Gad leads condemnation of Kanye West after rapper says he ‘likes Hitler’

House Judiciary Committee Republicans delete “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” tweet after West’s praise of Hitler

03:09 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The Twitter account for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee deleted a tweet that said “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” after rapper Kanye West praised Adolf Hitler.

The Judiciary Republicans tweeted the first names of Mr West, Tesla executive Elon Musk and former president Donald Trump on 6 October of this year. But that was before Mr West began tweeting antisemitic remarks, including saying he wanted to go “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.”

Eric Garcia has the story.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans deletes “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” tweet

ICYMI: Kanye West admits he ‘likes’ Hitler in shocking new interview

02:01 , Graeme Massie

Kanye West slams Elon Musk and gives Nick Fuentes and Alex Jones power to run his Twitter in antisemitic rant

01:05 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: The rapper formerly known as Kanye West said on Thursday he plans to give Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes and right-wing conspiracy monger Alex Jones the keys to his Twitter account, in protest against Elon Musk’s stance that he won’t let Jones back on the platform after a 2018 ban.

Josh Marcus has the story.

Kanye West slams Elon Musk and says Alex Jones will run Twitter account in rant

‘I like Hitler’: Kanye West praises Nazi during Alex Jones interview

00:02 , Graeme Massie

ICYMI: Kanye West admitted “I like Hitler” as the disgraced rapper and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes were interviewed by right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Infowars.

Kanye West admits he ‘likes’ Hitler during shocking Alex Jones interview

Kanye West is not buying social media platform Parler after all

Thursday 1 December 2022 23:15 , Graeme Massie

Parler announced a deal in October that would ‘change the world’. After Ye’s antisemitic rant praising Nazis, the platform announced the agreement was mutually terminated.

Alex Woodward has the story.

Kanye West is not buying social media platform Parler after all

Pence says Trump was ‘wrong’ and showed ‘profoundly poor judgement’ by dining with Kanye West and Nick Fuentes

Thursday 1 December 2022 22:58 , Josh Marcus

Donald Trump was “wrong” and showed “profoundly poor judgement” for meeting last week at Mar-a-Lago with outspoken antisemites like rapper and fashion designer Kanye West and right-wing media figure Nick Fuentes, according to former vice-president Mike Pence.

“President Trump was wrong to give a white nationalist, an antisemite, and a Holocaust denier a seat at the table,” Mr Pence said in an interview on NewsNation on Monday.

“I think he should apologise for it, and I think he should denounce those individuals and their hateful rhetoric without qualification.”

Mr Trump’s former No 2 defended the ex-president from accusations of antisemitism, pointing out how Mr Trump’s daughter Ivanka converted to Judaism when she married Jared Kushner.

Read our full story.

Pence says Trump showed ‘profoundly poor judgement’ by hosting Kanye and Nick Fuentes

Kanye West no longer buying conservative social media app Parler

Thursday 1 December 2022 22:45 , Graeme Massie

“In response to numerous media inquiries, Parlement Technologies would like to confirm that the company has mutually agreed with Ye to terminate the intent of sale of Parler. This decision was made in the interest of both parties in mid-November,” the company said on Twitter.

Podcaster who interviewed Ye says Hitler praise ‘breaks my heart’

Thursday 1 December 2022 21:58 , Josh Marcus

Lex Fridman, a research scientist who sat down with Kanye West recently for a lengthy interview amid the rapper’s continued antisemitism scandals, says Ye has finally gone too far.

“Ye praising Hitler breaks my heart,” Mr Fridman wrote on Twitter on Thursday, after West celebrated the genocidal German leader in a Thursday appearance on Infowars.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans delete “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” tweet after West’s praise of Hitler

Thursday 1 December 2022 21:20 , Josh Marcus

The Twitter account for the Republicans on the House Judiciary Committee deleted a tweet that said “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” after rapper Kanye West praised Adolf Hitler.

The Judiciary Republicans tweeted the first names of Mr West, Tesla executive Elon Musk and former president Donald Trump on 6 October of this year. But that was before Mr West began tweeting antisemitic remarks, including saying he wanted to go “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.”

But Matt Gertz of Media Matters tweeted on Thursday that the tweet was taken down amid Mr West, who now goes by the name Ye, appearing on conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’s show and praising the late Nazi leader.

“You’re not Hitler, you’re not a Nazi, so you don’t deserve to be demonised,” Mr Jones said. In response, Mr West praised Mr Hitler. Throughout the interview, Mr West wore a face-covering.

Eric Garcia has more.

House Judiciary Committee Republicans deletes “Kanye. Elon. Trump.” tweet

‘When are we going to say ENOUGH?’: Lawmaker slams Kanye West’s comments

Thursday 1 December 2022 20:15 , Josh Marcus

Lawmakers are condemning Kanye West’s continued antisemitic tear, including the rapper’s most recent offence, praising Hitler on Infowars.

“When are we going to say ENOUGH?” tweeted Congressman Ritchie Torres, a Democrat from New York, wrote on Thursday.

Comedian Jon Stewart reacts to Kanye West’s Hitler comments

Thursday 1 December 2022 18:55 , Graeme Massie

“Oy,” the former host of The Daily Show, who is Jewish, tweeted on Thursday following West’s interview with Alex Jones.

American writer Touré brands Kanye West ‘disgusting’ over comments

Thursday 1 December 2022 18:40 , Graeme Massie

“This isn’t about mental illness. Stop defending Kanye or having sympathy for him because he’s bipolar or something. HIs virulent and repeated antisemitism isn’t tied to that. This is who he is. And it’s disgusting,” the cultural critic tweeted.

Kanye West says ‘I like Hitler’ on Infowars

Thursday 1 December 2022 18:35 , Graeme Massie

Rapper responded to host Alex Jones saying he did not like Adolf Hitler or Nazis during Thursday’s interview.