Kanye West Breaks Silence on Viral Cease and Desist Letter Accusing Kim Kardashian of Exploiting Their Kids

Despite their divorce being finalized in November 2022, the ongoing dispute between Kim Kardashian and Kanye West continues to generate controversy. The rapper has now claimed that the legal notice he reportedly sent to his ex-wife, which quickly went viral, was actually a "hoax."

TMZ reported on Friday, May 8, 2026, that West had filed a cease and desist letter against Kardashian, accusing her of allegedly misusing and exploiting their four children: North West, Saint West, Chicago West, and Psalm West. He also accused the reality TV star of allegedly keeping him away from their children.

Since their separation, West has repeatedly criticized Kardashian over their custody arrangement. In March, he drew criticism over a series of posts on X in which he complained that a "White woman" was in charge of his Black children.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, West also released a track titled Heil Hitler. According to reports, the song's lyrics appeared to link his custody battle with Kardashian to his public embrace of N--- rhetoric.

The cease and desist letter had accused Kardashian of leaving their eldest daughter, North West, unattended in a vehicle while arriving at the Met Gala on May 4, 2026, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

West has since denied sending any such letter. His spokesperson issued a statement saying the letter was fraudulent and that West never sent it.

The spokesperson told Page Six, "The letter is quite obviously fraudulent. TMZ didn't ask for comment before running the story, and this morning, they finally emailed us with second thoughts, asking if it had been a 'publicity stunt.' No. You fell for a hoax."

Reportedly, Kanye West was said to have a lawyer named Kathy Johnson who had sent the cease and desist letter to Kim Kardashian’s attorney, Laura Wasser. According to the initial report, Johnson wrote that the letter concerns “the welfare and custody of Mr West's minor children: North West, Saint West, Chicago West, and Psalm West.”

The Daily Mail reported that Johnson claimed to represent a law office based in Spain, which asserted it had jurisdiction in the United States. The phone number listed for the firm was reportedly no longer in service and had previously been connected to a travel agency.

Additionally, the letter claimed Johnson worked for an organization called the JB Law Firm, located in Palma. TMZ reported it could not find any firm operating under that name.

The letter, which Kanye West has since called fraudulent, accused Kardashian of violating his parental rights and their divorce settlement. It alleged that she brought North to the Met Gala, where the child was allegedly left "unattended in a vehicle during portions of the event."

The letter stated, "On or about May 4, 2025, your client brought North West to the Met Gala in New York City, exposing her to significant media attention. Reports indicate that North was left unattended in a vehicle during portions of the event, posing risks to her safety."