Kanye West claims Shopify ban didn’t hurt him—boasts of $40m in sales

Kanye West is once again at the centre of controversy after Shopify removed his Yeezy website for selling an offensive product. The e-commerce giant cut ties with the rapper-turned-designer over a $20 white T-shirt featuring a black swastika.

Despite the backlash, West—who now goes by Ye—claimed the ban had no impact on his business. In a defiant social media post, the 47-year-old boasted, “I SAID ALL THESE POLITICALLY INCORRECT THINGS AND NOBODY WAS ABLE TO STOP ME EXTORT ME THREATEN ME TO CHANGE ANYTHING. AND I MADE 40 MILLION THE NEXT DAY BETWEEN MY DIFFERENT BUSINESS.”

Ye also lashed out at Shopify, celebrating his removal as a personal win. “THIS WAS A MAJOR VICTORY BECAUSE I HATE SHOPIFY AND I ALWAYS HAVE. I KNEW THEY WOULD DO SOME ******** LIKE THIS,” he wrote in a now-deleted post.

Shopify president Harley Finkelstein addressed the decision, standing by the platform’s move to ban Yeezy. “This merchant did not engage in authentic commerce practices. They violated our terms. We removed them,” he told CNBC News. Finkelstein, who is Jewish, added, “Obviously, I’m devastated by that.”

West has long courted controversy, but this latest scandal underscores his increasingly provocative business tactics. Despite being dropped by major platforms, he insists his brand remains profitable—though whether that holds true in the long run remains to be seen.

Industry experts remain sceptical about Ye’s claims, questioning whether his businesses can sustain such high sales figures without mainstream platforms. While he boasts of financial success, analysts point out that being blacklisted by major retailers and payment processors could eventually limit his reach and profitability. Some suggest his latest controversy-driven marketing strategy may generate short-term buzz but could prove unsustainable in the long run.

Meanwhile, legal experts warn that Shopify’s decision could set a precedent for other e-commerce platforms looking to enforce stricter content policies. With increasing scrutiny on online marketplaces, brands and merchants may face tighter regulations to prevent the sale of offensive or controversial products. Whether Ye adapts to this shifting landscape or continues to challenge industry norms remains to be seen.