Kanye West reveals why he didn't attend Donald Trump's inauguration: 'It's censorship'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Rapper Kanye West has opened up about his decision to not attend the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump on January 20 during his appearance on the podcast 'Respectfully Justin', OK! Magazine reported on Monday, February 3.

While the podcast episode is yet to be released, it was played at a Grammys afterparty. TMZ obtained a clip from the event which shows the 47-year-old rapper watching his recorded conversation with podcast host Justin LaBoy.

Kanye West's explanation for not attending Trump's inauguration

According to the publication, West was planning to attend Trump's inauguration last month until the antisemitic comments he had made in the past were brought up for discussion.

"It’s censorship," the rapper is heard saying in the clip. “I was gonna go to the inauguration but they told me I had to write another apology, saying yeah, that I wasn’t … what’s the word?”

“Antisemitic,” LaBoy noted as the 'Runaway' rapper pretended to forget the term.

"I’m saying anti-sympathetic because anti-sympathetic, that’s not what it was. I don’t have feelings about anti-sympathetic," replied West.

Kanye West's antisemitic comments

West infamously targeted the Jewish community in a tirade on social media in the past. In October 2022, he shared that he would be going going "death con 3 on Jewish people," as per OK!

"You guys have toyed with me and tried to black ball anyone whoever opposes your agenda," he wrote at the time, leading to his Twitter (now X) getting suspended.

Later in March 2023, West issued an odd apology thanking Jonah Hill for making him "like Jewish people again" with his performance in the remake of '21 Jump Street.'

"No one should take anger against one or two individuals and transform that into hatred towards millions of innocent people," he stated. "No Christian can be labeled antisemite knowing Jesus is Jew. Thank you Jonah Hill I love you."

West also put up a post in Hebrew and translated back in English on Instagram in December 2023.

The now-deleted post read, "I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community. It was not my intention to hurt or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity."

According to the New York Post, President Trump referred to the rapper as "complicated" in August 2024. He did praise him nevertheless, saying, "He’s a really nice guy. But he can get some people into trouble. He’s got a good heart—he does, he does, but he’s complicated.”

Internet slams Kanye West for his comments

Netizens were happy with West not being present at the Trump inauguration. The following tweets on the subject demonstrate their takes.

"Kanye not showing up is a win for everyone," wrote a user.

"Who cares! Was he even invited?" asked another.

"He’s a gross human being," chided a third.

"Kanye wasn’t missed … no one cares," quipped a fourth.

"Kanye West is a loser," jibed a fifth.

"After Grammy stunt, We’re all relieved he skipped Trump’s inauguration," noted a fifth, referring to the controversial sheer dress West's wife Bianca Censori wore at the 2025 Grammys.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online