Former Employee Accuses Kanye West of Planning Jail at Donda School in Lawsuit

Kanye West Allegedly Wanted Jail in Donda School Says Ex Employee

Kanye West. Bellocqimages/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

A lawsuit has been filed against Kanye West by a former employee of Yeezy and Donda Academy, alleging a hostile work environment and intentional emotional distress. According to court documents from April 2, Trevor Phillips claims he faced discrimination, harassment, and retaliation from West, who now goes by Ye, after starting his job at Yeezy in November 2022.

When his work for West quickly expanded beyond his fashion line and into his private school called Donda Academy, Phillips saw it as an opportunity.

Phillips' attorneys stated in court documents that Kanye represented the possibilities of what a Black man could accomplish in America: achievement, recognition, and financial freedom — truly, the American Dream. With this in mind, Phillips passionately dove into his work.

During his nine months working there, Phillips noticed West's harmful language and unfair treatment of certain employees. According to Phillips' lawyers, it was clear that Kanye treated Black staff worse than white staff. He would yell and belittle Black employees, while treating white employees with more respect. Phillips, who is Black, was often targeted by Kanye with disdain and mistreatment.

The lawsuit alleges that West openly shared with two school children his preference for dating white women. He also mentioned his desire for the students to shave their heads and his plan to put a jail at the school where they could be locked in cages.

According to court documents, the staff promptly intervened by distracting the children and escorting them out of the room.

Kanye West Allegedly Wanted Jail in Donda School Says Ex Employee

Kanye West. Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images

West's four children from his previous marriage to Kim Kardashian, North (10), Saint (8), Chicago (6), and Psalm (4), did not attend Donda Academy.

In the lawsuit, Phillips claimed that he had seen West talk about a "discriminatory conspiracy of Jews" during meetings at the academy.

During a meeting in December 2022 outside of school, Phillips felt uneasy when West praised Hitler. Despite this, their relationship worsened in May 2023 when West had a tantrum and threatened to punch Phillips.

West was not pleased with the garden that Phillips was taking care of. He started shouting in front of a group of people, telling his employee to leave and that he was fired, according to the documents.

Phillips mentioned that he left his job at Donda Academy in August 2023 because West decided to close the school temporarily for a rebranding before reopening.

We has reached out to West’s rep for comment on the suit.

In a statement to Us, Phillips’ lawyer Carney R. Shegerian explained why his client wanted to file a lawsuit at this time.

"We filed this lawsuit in hopes of standing up for our injured clients and ensuring that Mr. West understands the harm of his messages, which we believe promote discrimination, antisemitism, and admiration for Hitler," stated Shegerian.

Phillips is requesting a minimum of $35,000 for what he claims is retaliation for whistleblowing, racial discrimination, a hostile work environment, and other legal issues.

Editor's P/S:

The lawsuit against Kanye West