Florida senator Rick Scott has urged Tampa cancel two Kanye West concerts at Raymond James Stadium, arguing the shows would use taxpayer support to platform an artist he describes as antisemitic. In a June 4 letter to the Tampa Sports Authority Board, Scott ci
The case against Kanye West landing in Tampa didn’t start with a debate at the ticket booth—it began with a letter sent to the people who run Raymond James Stadium.
On Thursday. June 4. Florida senator Rick Scott demanded that the Tampa Sports Authority cancel two upcoming Kanye West concerts at Raymond James Stadium. Scott’s target dates were June 26 and June 28. and in the open letter to the Tampa Sports Authority Board of Directors. he framed the shows as an insult to Florida’s Jewish community.
Scott wrote that West’s “consistent antisemitic attacks are an affront to the values of the people of the Hillsborough community.” He said West has “openly praised Nazis. ” “called himself one. ” and “slandered Jews across the world.” He also pointed to what he described as money flowing into antisemitic branding. alleging West “funded a Super Bowl ad in 2025 that directed viewers to purchase merchandise featuring swastikas.” Scott called West’s remarks “vile and a slap in the face to our state’s Jewish community.”.
“It is troubling that a stadium supported by taxpayer dollars would openly subsidize an event led by an artist known for pushing this dangerous, hateful rhetoric,” Scott added, emphasizing that Florida has one of the largest Jewish populations in the country.
He wasn’t writing from scratch. Scott referenced West’s recent booking setbacks abroad as part of the argument that the controversy followed him—and that political condemnation had crossed party lines.
In April. Scott said. West’s plan to headline London’s Wireless Festival fell apart after sponsors pulled out over his antisemitic record. The U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said he was “deeply concerned” about the booking, and the U.K. government ultimately denied West’s visa application. concluding his presence wouldn’t be “conducive to the public good.” The festival was then canceled.
Around the same time, West postponed a show in Marseille, France, after the local mayor, Benoît Payan, refused to let the city serve as “a showcase for those who promote hatred and unapologetic Nazism.”
Scott’s letter also leaned into the idea that the reaction to West wasn’t limited to one corner of public life. He wrote that West “has been condemned by political figures across the political aisle,” and that “his outbursts and hate have helped to mainstream antisemitism.”
“No taxpayer dollars should be used to give a vocal antisemite a stage in Florida,” Scott urged. He asked the board to “carefully review this decision,” pointing directly to what he said was the stakes of public funding: “given the fact that taxpayer dollars are helping the show go on.”
In closing. Scott said he was confident the Tampa Sports Authority would keep focusing on “a safe and inclusive community. especially for Jewish Floridians.” He repeated his bottom line: “No taxpayer dollars should be used to give a vocal antisemite a stage in Florida. ” and said he was sure the board would take “appropriate action” so it wouldn’t happen.
The pressure comes at a moment when the Tampa Sports Authority’s posture appears to have shifted sharply. Before Scott circulated his letter, Tampa Sports Authority CEO Eric Hart had been publicly promoting Kanye West’s concerts.
When the Tampa Bay Times asked Hart why West chose Tampa for his only North American dates. Hart said. “Why not Tampa!. Raymond James Stadium and Team Tampa Bay are world renowned for our hospitality, professionalism and collaborative business environment. Tampa is now a ‘must-play’ market for some of the largest entertainment and sporting events. … The fun is just beginning!”.
On Thursday, the Tampa Sports Authority issued a different message. The organization said. “We recognize the concerns and viewpoints being expressed about the upcoming events at Raymond James Stadium.” It added that. as “a public agency. ” it follows the principles of free speech when operating its venue—while also saying it “do[es] not condone remarks or actions from any artists that are offensive and divisive.”.
Rick Scott MAGA senator Kanye West Tampa Sports Authority Raymond James Stadium June 26 June 28 open letter antisemitism Nazi praise Hêil Hitler swastika merchandise Super Bowl ad 2025 Hillsborough community Eric Hart free speech
So they’re canceling concerts now? just wow.
I didn’t even know Kanye was doing Tampa again. If they’re using taxpayer stuff then I get why Scott’s mad, but canceling seems like a lot too. Also didn’t he already get in trouble for stuff like this?
Wait, are they saying the stadium itself is antisemitic? Like how does “taxpayer support” work exactly, is it just the land or the tickets?? I feel like people keep tossing around Nazis and swastikas like it’s automatically true without reading the full thing. I’m not even defending him but this letter sounds exaggerated.
Rick Scott is doing what he always does, grabbing headlines. But I’m also like… if there’s taxpayer money involved and it’s truly promoting antisemitic stuff, then yeah that’s not okay. I saw something about a Super Bowl ad directing people to buy merch with swastikas and that’s just sick. I don’t care what party you’re in, that should be shut down. Tampa better not just act like it’s “freedom of speech” when it’s literally their money.