Rapper Kanye West's Twitter profile, which was suspended for posting antisemitic remarks, appeared to be back up on the platform, a day after billionaire Elon Musk took ownership of the social media company following his $44 billion deal.
The rapper, now known as Ye, was suspended from Twitter and Meta Platforms' Instagram earlier in October and the platforms removed some of his online posts that users condemned as antisemitic.
Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Musk later said that West's account was restored before Musk took over at Twitter.
West, who has over 30 million followers on Twitter, has courted controversy in recent months by publicly ending major corporate tie-ups and making outbursts on social media against other celebrities.
On Oct. 8, Musk tweeted "Welcome back to Twitter, my friend!" when West posted on the platform for the first time in two Westars after his Instagram account was restricted.
Welcome back to Twitter, my friend!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 8, 2022
Musk took ownership of Twitter with brutal efficiency on Thursday, firing top executives but providing little clarity over how he will achieve the ambitions he has outlined for the influential social media platform.
Musk's goals for Twitter
Musk, also the Tesla CEO and a self-described free-speech absolutist, has laid out goals to prevent the platform from becoming an echo chamber for hate and division.
He has also said he would reverse Twitter's ban on former US President Donald Trump, whose account was removed after the attack on the US Capitol. Trump on Friday said he was happy Twitter was in "sane hands."
Earlier in October, West agreed in principle to buy Parler, the social media platform popular among US conservatives.