Tampa — Florida Senator Rick Scott has called on the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel Kanye West’s scheduled concerts at Raymond James Stadium on June 26 and June 29, 2026. In a letter published on his official website, Scott argued that hosting the rapper would be a “slap in the face” to Florida’s Jewish community, given West’s record of antisemitic outbursts and Nazi praise.
Scott highlighted West’s past actions, including a Super Bowl ad in 2025 that directed viewers to a website selling T‑shirts with swastikas, as well as public statements in which West praised Nazis and slandered Jews worldwide. He noted that West has already faced bans in the United Kingdom and Poland, where concerts were canceled due to similar controversies.
Although West issued a public apology in January 2026 through a Wall Street Journal ad, admitting his remarks were tied to mental health struggles, Scott insisted that taxpayer‑funded venues should not provide a platform for “dangerous, hateful rhetoric.”
The Tampa Sports Authority responded by acknowledging community concerns but stressed that, as a public agency, it operates under free speech principles. While it does not condone offensive remarks, the agency has not yet confirmed whether the concerts will be canceled.
