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Photo: JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX / AFP
US rapper Kanye West, who has fallen into disrepute for anti-Semitic statements, has again caused outrage with statements about Adolf Hitler.
"I like Hitler" and "I love Nazis," said the musician and fashion entrepreneur in an interview with the well-known far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
"I also see good things in Hitler."
"This guy (...) invented freeways and the microphone I used as a musician," said the rapper, who changed his name to "Ye" and wore a black mask that covered his entire face for the interview.
"You can't say out loud that this person has ever done anything good, and I don't take it anymore."
When Jones countered that the Nazis did "really bad things," West replied, "But they also did good things.
We need to stop dissing the Nazis all the time.
(...) I love Nazis.«
Dinner with Holocaust deniers and Trump
The rapper, who struggles with mental health issues, has repeatedly made anti-Semitic statements in the past.
The German sporting goods manufacturer Adidas ended its cooperation with the 45-year-old in October with immediate effect after West made threats against Jews on Twitter.
Other companies such as fashion brand Balenciaga have also ended their partnership with West.
West, who has been married to reality TV star Kim Kardashian for years, recently caused a stir when he had dinner with the well-known anti-Semite and Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes at former US President Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida ate
Trump has also come under fire from within his own ranks because of the encounter.
Former Vice President Mike Pence said what Trump did was "wrong."
"I think he should apologize." Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said there was "no place for anti-Semitism and racism" in the party.
Anyone who meets anti-Semites and racists is "highly unlikely to ever be elected President of the United States."
Trump announced in mid-November that he wanted to run again in the 2024 presidential election.
According to his own statements, Kanye West also wants to run for office.
atb/AFP