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Kanye West, seemingly defiant, offers no apologies in his return to Instagram: 'I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I'm still alive'
Kanye West in Los Angeles, Oct. 21, 2022 (Photo by MEGA/GC Images)

Kanye West, seemingly defiant, offers no apologies in his return to Instagram: 'I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I'm still alive'

Rapper and entrepreneur Kanye West seemed defiant in his return to Instagram early Thursday and offered no apologies in the wake of his alleged anti-Semitic comments and in spite of numerous companies and individuals cutting business ties with him.

"I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I'm still alive," West — now known as Ye — wrote in his post.

What are the details?

West's first post, which is no longer available, included a pair of images of him and a headline declaring that "Ye has reportedly cut ties with Kanye West." The rapper captioned the joking post, "Had to cut ties bro."

His second post was directed toward Ari Emanuel, CEO of entertainment and media agency Endeavor, CBS News reported. Emanuel wrote an op-ed in the Financial Times following West's controversial tweet earlier this month in which West said, "I'm going death con 3 [sic] on JEWISH PEOPLE."

West's Twitter account was restricted soon after; his Instagram account was restricted the previous day.

"There should be no tolerance anywhere for West's anti-Semitism," Emanuel wrote in his piece, CBS News said, citing Deadline. "This is a moment in history where the stakes are high and being open about our values, and living them, is essential. Silence and inaction are not an option." Emanuel also said that "those who continue to do business with West are giving his misguided hate an audience," the outlet added.

'I'm still alive'

West directed his Thursday Instagram post at Emanuel: "I lost 2 billion dollars in one day and I'm still alive. This is love speech. I still love you. God still loves you. The money is not who I am. The people is who I am."

West's post has received over 1.3 million likes and more than 38,000 comments and counting.

What else?

CBS News noted that West suffered heavy financial losses this week, particularly after Adidas said it was ending its $1.5 billion deal with him over his comments. The network added that TJX Companies, which owns T.J. Maxx, said it would no longer sell West's apparel, and Gap said it stopped selling his Yeezy Gap clothing line.

The losses have pushed West off of Forbes' billionaires list as his net worth has dropped to about $400 million, CBS News reported, citing Forbes.

What's more, Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald said Tuesday night they're leaving Donda Sports, which West founded, over his comments, ESPN reported. In addition, Donda Academy — a private school West founded — has abruptly closed, Yahoo! Entertainment reported. West also was escorted out of the California-based headquarters of shoemaker Skechers after he showed up unannounced Wednesday, National Public Radio said.

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