04-09-2024
Kanye West hired Trevor Phillips to oversee "projects related to growing cotton" and other materials to help West's fashion brand become self-sustainable in November 2022. Phillips then worked for West's private school, Donda Academy, near Los Angeles. Phillips alleges West made antisemitic comments around staff members at the Donda Academy, including “the Jews are out to get me” and “the Jews are stealing all my money.” Phillips claims West told him privately that the Holocaust was "fake," and he said Hitler was "great" and an innovator: "[Hitler's] the reason we have cars." West made other antisemitic comments publicly that led to Adidas ending its long partnership with him. Following the end of his contract, West allegedly told Phillips, “The Jews are working with Adidas to freeze up my money to try and make me broke.” Phillips attached an alleged text from West stating, "I am on some complete Hitler-level stuff. Minus the gas chambers."
Phillips also alleges West treated Black employees noticeably worse than white employees. He asserts West said: "Yeah I am going for the gays! FIRST the Jews, THEN the gays.” Phillips alleges West created a hostile work environment and discriminated against him. Phillip’s daughter and younger brother attended Donda Academy, where West allegedly told two children that he wanted to shave their heads and put a jail at the school.
West and the Donda Academy did not respond to the New York Times's request for comment. In 2023, West apologized to the Jewish community via a statement in Hebrew. He wrote, "I deeply regret any pain I may have caused." The New York Times reports that Donda Academy's current status is unclear, and the school has been named in other lawsuits.