Kanye West is creating controversy, yet again. The one-time rapper, sometime clothing designer, and former husband of Kim Kardashian, is buying Parler, the conservative social-media service. The move comes after Ye, as West is now known, was locked out from Twitter and Instagram for posting antisemitic comments.
“This deal will change the world, and change the way the world thinks about free speech,” Parlement Technologies CEO George Farmer said in a news release. “Ye is making a groundbreaking move into the free speech media space and will never have to fear being removed from social media again.”
The deal is the latest head-scratching move for Ye. He recently wore a "White Lives Matter" shirt at Paris Fashion Week and before that broke up his collaboration with Gap in a noisy social media storm. Ye's Parler move of course created lots of commentary on Twitter.
Kanye West to acquire social media app Parler, the platform has announced. This comes after the rapper was locked out of his Twitter account and restricted on Instagram for antisemitic posts. Folks, he can't spread his obnoxious rhetoric so he buys a company wherein he can. 👠
— Steph59Renee - Bastard Republicans! (@AngelRe96386095) October 17, 2022
Parler's statement on the buyout went on: “Ye has become the richest Black man in history through music and apparel and is taking a bold stance against his recent censorship from Big Tech, using his far-reaching talents to further lead the fight to create a truly non-cancelable environment.”
Gallery: Celebrities Who've Run for Office