Ye (C), formerly known as Kanye West, attends the Givenchy Spring-Summer 2023 Fashion Show during Women’s Fashion Week in Paris, on October 2, 2022.
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Ye (C), formerly known as Kanye West, attends the Givenchy Spring-Summer 2023 Fashion Show during Women’s Fashion Week in Paris, on October 2, 2022.
Julian de Rosa/AFP via Getty Images
George Floyd’s family announced Tuesday that they will file a $250 million lawsuit against Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, after comments he made about Floyd’s death in a podcast. Drinking heroes.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled that George Floyd’s death was a murder, caused by Derek Chauvin kneeling on Floyd’s neck for more than eight minutes. But Yi — who was a guest on last week’s episode of the podcast hosted by rapper NORE and DJ EFN — brought up the idea that it wasn’t Chauvin that caused Floyd’s death, but that he died of fentanyl use.
The family seeks compensation for slander, harassment, etc.
The lawsuit will be brought by Roxy Washington, mother of Gianna Floyd: George Floyd’s only daughter and sole beneficiary of his estate. Washington plans to sue Ye and his business associates and associates for “harassment, embezzlement, defamation and emotional distress by seeking $250 million in damages.” According to the statement From a Washington attorney.
“Kanye’s comments are an abhorrent attempt to belittle George Floyd’s life and take advantage of his inhumane death,” said attorney Pat Dixon III. “We will hold Mr. West accountable for his blatant statements against Mr. Floyd’s legacy.”
The family’s lawyers also issued a cease-and-desist letter to Yi for his comments.
“Free speech rights do not include harassment, lies, misrepresentation and appropriation of George Floyd’s legacy. Some words have consequences and Mr. West will understand that,” said Kay Harper Williams, another Washington attorney.
Expert says Ye’s rights in the First Amendment will be a factor in this case
Regarding First Amendment rights, Roy S.
“Firstly, there is no possibility of a libel here, because there will be no living plaintiff whose reputation has been damaged,” Guterman told NPR. “Defamation and libel require a living plaintiff, and surviving family members or family members do not have capacity to sue for defamation.”
Guttermann said one possible course of this lawsuit would be to claim intentional emotional distress — although that would be difficult to claim. “This requires the plaintiff to establish that the statements were intentional or reckless, outside the bounds of acceptable decency and morals and causally related to some potential harm,” he said. “This harm is often a claim that is difficult to collect, especially with a media accuser.”
However, proving this claim is not impossible; Notably, Sandy Hook families successfully sued Alex Jones for this secondary tort in a recent civil trial in Connecticut.
Drinking heroes He has apologized for the episode
Ye Min Drinking heroes It was pulled earlier this week.
“Drinking heroes He prides himself on being able to allow the free flow of ideas within the hip-hop community,” a representative for the show said The Hollywood Reporter. ” However, unfortunately, the recent interview with Kanye West contained false and harmful information regarding the circumstances surrounding the killing of George Floyd.”
NORE . Hosting Call on Hot 97’s Ebro in the Morning to talk about the episode and issued an apology.
He said, “I’m sorry.” “I can sit there and say, that’s just Kanye WestAnd the That’s just what he said. But I have a responsibility when I have an audience. When I saw myself, I was embarrassed. I was like, “Wait a minute? Just let him say that? I’m irresponsible because I let her go.”
Kanye West’s representatives did not immediately respond to messages for comment.
. “Professional creator. Lifelong thinker. Reader. Beer buff. Troublemaker. Evil problem solver.”