A lawsuit filed against the artist known as Ye, formerly Kanye West, alleges that he spread antisemitic conspiracy theories and made discriminatory comments in front of staff and children at his private Christian school, Donda Academy. The lawsuit claims that Ye compared himself to Hitler and appeared to simulate masturbation during a meeting with a former employee. He allegedly expressed a desire to shave students’ heads and lock them in cages, while also calling out Black people in a discriminatory manner and praising the Nazi leader. Ye is also accused of misusing the school’s budget, using $2 million for a trip to Paris and stiffing workers after his brand, Yeezy, faced financial issues due to his controversial comments.
Representatives for Ye and attorneys for Donda Academy have not yet responded to the allegations made in the lawsuit. The lawsuit also alleges that Ye fired the former employee, Trevor Phillips, in a hostile manner over a garden issue at the school, despite Phillips’ daughter attending Donda and his gratefulness for the job due to a potential medical condition. Ye reportedly responded with a verbal tirade, including threats of physical violence towards Phillips. Phillips continued working for Ye until Donda Academy shut down in August.
The lawsuit seeks more than $35,000 in damages and includes allegations of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other claims against Ye and Donda Academy. Previous lawsuits from former employees have also painted a troubling picture of Donda Academy, including claims that students were only allowed to eat sushi for lunch, windows were empty because Ye didn’t like glass, and chairs, artwork, and outside books were banned. The accusations in these lawsuits have led to a trial scheduled to begin in April 2025, with a lawyer for Ye previously dismissing the claims as false and asserting that they do not reflect the positive experiences of current staff and students at Donda Academy.
The lawsuit sheds light on the troubled and bizarre environment at Donda Academy, where Ye is accused of making controversial and harmful statements in front of staff and children. The allegations include acts of discrimination, misuse of the school’s budget, and a hostile work environment that led to the termination of the former employee named in the lawsuit. As the legal battle continues, more details may emerge about the inner workings of Donda Academy and the behavior of Ye towards his employees and students. The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the reputation and future of the artist and his educational institution.
