Kanye West Donda Lawsuit Alleges Inhuman Treatment Of Students

A former employee at Kanye West’s Donda Academy, Trevor Phillips—who also worked for West’s fashion brand Yeezy, filed a lawsuit against the rapper on Tuesday, alleging that West had berated him and humiliated him in front of others. Additionally, Phillips also recounted an instance in which West planned to shave the heads of the two students who were present at the Donda Academy staff meeting and build a jail at the school, where the children would be locked in cages.

Allegations also mention severe discrimination, harassment, and retaliation, as well as threats of physical violence, inappropriate sexual behavior, and anti-LGBTQ comments. On top of everything, Phillips and several other employees noted that West treated Black employees worse than white ones. For further context, Phillips was hired in November 2022 to work for Yeezy and has also worked at Kanye West’s Donda Academy, where he oversaw a project that involved growing cotton and other crops, as West’s plan of developing a self-sustained community.

At the time, West’s career had already taken a fall, with Adidas dropping a rather lucrative deal with him over a series of antisemitic remarks on Twitter and in various interviews. The lawsuit also alleges countless antisemitic tirades at Kanye West’s Donda Academy, where the rapper only praised Adolf Hitler, stating that the “Jews are working with Adidas to freeze up my money.” But the allegations don’t stop there.

According to the lawsuit, West also demanded that he and Phillips watch The Batman while West laid on his back and mimicked masturbating while discussing sexual acts and topics in a rather inappropriate manner. Other allegations also include West openly attacking members of the LGBTQ community at the Donda Academy and publicly humiliating Phillips during a Sunday service at Kanye West’s Donda Academy. According to Phillips, West shouted at him before terminating his employment/contract.

The circumstances surrounding Phillips’ termination stem from West’s dissatisfaction with the school’s garden. As per Phillips, the rapper shouted at him about the state of the garden at Kanye West’s Donda Academy. However, Phillips wasn’t responsible for the garden, which allegedly didn’t stop West from shouting and physically threatening to punch the man in the face before giving Phillips “one more chance.”

The lawsuit alleges West subsequently sent Phillips on a work assignment related to the Donda Academy, only to have West fire him via text after the assignment was completed.

This particular lawsuit is just another legal action in the latest in the slew of discrimination and wrongful termination lawsuits filed by former employees of Kanye West’s Donda Academy—separate lawsuits were filed by two former teachers and a photographer, citing wrongful termination, assault, battery, and the destruction of private property. West hasn’t responded to the allegations.