In a lawsuit filed by a former employee, the artist Ye, also known as Kanye West, is accused of spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories and expressing disturbing behaviors in front of staff and children at his Christian school, Donda Academy. The suit alleges that Ye compared himself to Hitler, discussed shaving students’ heads and locking them in cages, and made discriminatory comments towards Black people. He also allegedly pushed employees to do renovations without permits, threatened to fire them for being “fat,” and misused $2 million of the school’s budget for a trip to Paris. Ye also reportedly had an outburst during a Sunday service, leading to the firing of the employee involved.
The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, seeks over $35,000 in damages on grounds of discrimination, retaliation, wrongful termination, and other claims. Ye is accused of mistreating employees and students at Donda Academy, where former staff members have claimed students were only allowed to eat sushi for lunch, windows were left empty because Ye disliked glass, and various restrictions were imposed on chairs, artwork, and outside books. These allegations join previous lawsuits from other former teachers and an ex-assistant principal who have also made claims of discrimination and wrongful termination. A trial in one of the suits is set to start in April 2025.
Representatives for Ye and attorneys for Donda Academy have not yet responded to the allegations made in the lawsuit. The troubled and bizarre portrait painted by the former employees of Donda Academy includes disturbing incidents involving Ye’s behavior towards staff and students, as well as questionable decisions regarding the school’s budget and facilities. Despite these claims, a lawyer for the rapper has denied the accusations, stating that descriptions of Donda as a “dystopian institution” designed to cater to Ye’s preferences are false.
The lawsuit details specific incidents of alleged misconduct by Ye, including disturbing comments made during meetings and a hotel room encounter where the artist watched a movie on mute while exhibiting concerning behavior. The suit also describes a confrontation during a Sunday service that led to the firing of a staff member, displaying further evidence of Ye’s volatile behavior towards his employees. Overall, the lawsuit paints a troubling picture of the inner workings of Donda Academy and raises concerns about the treatment of staff and students under Ye’s leadership.
The allegations made in the lawsuit shed light on the troubling dynamics at Donda Academy and the behavior of Ye towards his employees and students. The lawsuit seeks to hold Ye accountable for actions that are described as discriminatory, retaliatory, and wrongful, highlighting the need for transparency and accountability in educational institutions. The lawsuit adds to the existing legal challenges faced by Ye and Donda Academy, as former employees continue to come forward with claims of mistreatment and misconduct within the school. As the legal process unfolds, further details may emerge regarding the allegations made against Ye and the operations of Donda Academy.
