As Kanye West heads to Tampa, Florida Holocaust Museum offers free admission
TAMPA, Fla. - Ahead of the upcoming Ye shows in Tampa, the Florida Holocaust Museum is speaking out - and offering an alternative activity for the concert weekend.
The St. Petersburg museum is offering free admission from June 26-28, overlapping with the former Kanye West's two performances at Raymond James Stadium.
"After more than 80 years since the end of World War II and one of the darkest times in our world's history, we have continued hope that the Nazi regime that caused the darkness would be rendered impotent," raid a statement published Monday afternoon by the museum's board and staff. "Yet, on June 26 and 28 we will be reminded of how much work we still must do."
Last week, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., published a letter urging the Tampa Sports Authority to reconsider hosting Ye at Raymond James Stadium. Scott urged the organization to "carefully review this decision, given the fact that taxpayer dollars are helping the show go on.
"Kanye West's consistent antisemitic attacks are an affront to the values of the people of the Hillsborough community," Scott wrote. "He has openly praised Nazis, called himself one, and slandered Jews across the world. Kanye West also funded a Superbowl ad in 2025 that directed viewers to purchase merchandise featuring swastikas."
The Tampa Sports Authority responded with its own statement.
"We recognize the concerns and viewpoints being expressed about the upcoming events at Raymond James Stadium," it said. "As a public agency, we follow the principles of free speech in operating our venue, although we do not condone remarks or actions from any artists that are offensive and divisive."
In 2023, Ye apologized for antisemitic comments with a social media post written in Hebrew. In January, Ye published an apology in a full-page Wall Street Journal advertisement titled "To Those I've Hurt." In it, he attributed his behavior to bipolar disorder and brain damage from a car accident in 2002.
Despite this, Ye's concerts in London and France were scrapped after local leaders refused to grant him travel documentation and spoke out against him in the press.
"West's antisemitic behavior is not debatable. He denigrated Jews and glorified the Holocaust for years," the Florida Holocaust Museum said in its statement. "In his music, rhetoric, and merchandise he sends both overt and subtle messages of support of the Nazi mindset. Feigned apologies for this display have lacked sincerity and evidenced his commitment to one thing: his own financial gain at the cost of humanity. He does not belong in our community."
Copyright 2026 Tribune Content Agency. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published June 9, 2026 at 1:16 PM.