Kanye West is not buying social media platform Parler after all
Despite an October statement hailing a world-changing deal to purchase the right-wing social media app, Parler will not be selling the platform to Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West.
The company announced that they reached a mutual termination agreement on 1 December, hours after the rapper and virulent antisemite praised Adolf Hitler and his love for Nazis on an InfoWars broadcast with conspiracy theorist Alex Jones.
They announced that the decision was made in mid-November.
“Parlement Technologies has confirmed that the company has mutually agreed with Ye to terminate the intent of sale of Parler,” according to the statement. “This decision was made in the interest of both parties in mid-November. Parler will continue to pursue future opportunities for growth and the evolution of the platform for our vibrant community.”
In October, George Farmer, the chief executive of the app’s parent company Parlement Technologies, said that the now-dissolved deal “will change the world” and “change the way the world thinks about free speech.”
“Once again, Ye proves that he is one step ahead of the legacy media narrative. Parlement will be honored to help him achieve his goals,” according to Mr Farmer’s statement.
On Thursday, Ye – flanked by white nationalist Holocaust denier Nick Fuentes – said “I like Hitler,” claimed that Nazis “did good things too” and insisted that people should “stop dissing the Nazis all the time” during a disturbing antisemitic screed.
Mr Farmer also is the husband of far-right personality Candace Owens, who has placed herself within the rapper’s orbit; they have both praised one another, and the pair wore matching “white lives matter” T-shirts in October.
This is a developing story
