Shopify removed a website linked to rapper Ye (formerly Kanye West) on Tuesday that was selling a single offensive item—swastika t-shirts. The rapper, known for his history of antisemitic rhetoric, had promoted the site, Yeezy.com, through a Super Bowl ad featuring a white t-shirt adorned with a black Nazi symbol. The site was taken down early Tuesday after displaying an “unavailable” message.
Shopify President Harley Finkelstein explained that the site was given the opportunity to prove it was engaging in legitimate commerce, but failed to do so. “The moment we realized this was not actually a real commerce practice, we pulled it down,” Finkelstein said. The t-shirt was labeled “HH-01,” a reference to “Heil Hitler,” which deeply disappointed Finkelstein, a proud Jewish community member.
In addition to Shopify’s actions, Ye was dropped by his music agent, Daniel McCartney, who condemned the rapper’s hateful statements. Ye had previously posted on X about his desire to create the t-shirt, calling it his “greatest performance art piece.” Despite efforts from his inner circle, including his wife Bianca Censori, to stop him, Ye continued to promote his antisemitic views, even claiming, “Hitler was sooooo fresh” and declaring himself a Nazi.
The Anti-Defamation League criticized Ye’s actions, calling the sale of the swastika t-shirt further evidence of his antisemitism.
Ye had faced prior bans from X for similar antisemitic posts, and companies like Gap and Adidas had severed ties with him in 2022.
Meanwhile, X’s owner, Elon Musk, has also faced controversy for his actions regarding antisemitic content on the platform.
