- Kanye West called Black Lives Matter "a scam" after his Paris fashion show was met with backlash.
- During the show, models and the rapper wore shirts with "White Lives Matter" written on the back.
Kanye West said that the Black Lives Matter movement is a "scam" after he was photographed wearing a "White Lives Matter" shirt during his fashion show in Paris Monday.
Videos show West and multiple models wearing shirts with the phrase emblazoned on the back at the rapper's YZYSZN9 fashion show during Paris Fashion Week.
After the stunt caused controversy over social media, on Tuesday, West wrote on his Instagram Story: "EVERYONE KNOWS BLACK LIVES MATTER WAS A SCAM. NOW ITS OVER. YOU'RE WELCOME."
The Black Lives Matter movement first originated on social media in 2013 and regained prominence in 2020 following the death of George Floyd which led to protests across America against police brutality.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the phrase "White Lives Matter" has deeply racist connotations and has been used as a slogan by white supremacist groups like the Texas-based Aryan Renaissance Society.
West was joined at the fashion show by conservative commentator Candace Owens, who also wore a "White Lives Matter" shirt.
According to the Guardian, both Naomi Campbell and the rapper's daughter, North West, participated in the show but neither wore the controversial T-shirt.
It also appears Jaden Smith attended the show but left halfway through due to the shirt.
"I Had To Dip Lol," the musician said in a stream of tweets. "True Leaders Lead. I Don't Care Who's It Is If I Don't Feel The Message I'm Out."
Smith later added: "Black Lives Matter. We Demand A More Progressive Future."
This is not the first time West has divided fans with his political statements.
In 2018, he wore a "MAGA" hat — a clothing item often sported by supporters of former President Donald Trump — to the White House.
He later said that putting on the hat made him feel like Superman and that he supports Trump because they both have "dragon energy."