Is the outrage over? Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden is coming to Kanye West’s defense even after he made a bunch of antisemitic remarks last year.
As we previously reported, Adidas (ADSGn.DE) ended its partnership with Ye, in October 2022 after he sparked massive backlash with his wild social media posts. In one viral and very controversial tweet, he called for “death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE”. That move led to his lucrative Yeezy collaboration with the German sportswear giant being axed. In a statement, Adidas explained at the time, “Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” the company previously said. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful, and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
Despite kicking Ye to the curb, it appears that Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden has changed his tune. While commenting on the scandal which has cost Adidas tens of millions in lost sales, Gulden told the “In Good Company” podcast, “I don’t think he meant what he said and I don’t think he’s a bad person – it just came across that way.” Although Gulden admitted that the statements Ye made “weren’t that good,” he also praised him as “one of the most creative people in the world … both in music and what I will call street culture”.
Meanwhile, an Adidas spokesperson told Reuters that ties to Ye would remain severed and there would be no change in the company’s position. “Ending the partnership was appropriate,” he said.
What Has Kanye West Said After Nearly Being Cancelled?
Around that time, Kanye apologized for posting an antisemitic tweet that drew widespread criticism. During an appearance on “Piers Morgan Uncensored,” Ye said, “I will say I’m sorry for the people that I hurt with the confusion that I caused. “I’m sorry for the families of the people that had nothing to do with the trauma that I have been through,” Ye added.
Ye, who ran unsuccessfully for president in 2020, further expressed regret and said he wanted to give a “big hug” to the families that he hurt. “I want to say that it’s wrong to hold an apology hostage, and I gotta let go of that and free myself of the trauma,” he said. “I want to say I’m sorry for hurting you with my comments, and I want to word it in not a political way, but in a presidential way.”
Has Kanye West Changed?
While we haven’t heard much from him in recent months, Kanye has been keeping under wraps with his new “wife,” Bianca Censori. Although they’ve been keeping a pretty low profile, they’ve still made tons of headlines after recently being snapped in the middle of a lewd act in Italy… allegedly.
Kanye has yet to react to Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden’s latest comments about him. Until then, let us know your thoughts on this in the comment box below!