Sen. Rick Scott Urges Tampa Sports Authority to Cancel Kanye West’s Concert at Taxpayer-Funded Raymond James Stadium

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Today, U.S. Senator Rick Scott hosted a press conference at the Florida Holocaust Museum urging the Tampa Sports Authority to cancel Kanye West's upcoming concerts at Raymond James Stadium following his yearslong embrace of antisemitism and Nazism.

Joining Senator Scott in calling for the cancellation of the concert was U.S. Senator Ashley Moody, Leo Terrell, Chair of the Department of Justice's Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, Holocaust survivor Toni Rinde, Jewish community leaders, former Governor and Congressman Charlie Crist, as well as national and state officials.

Senator Scott said, "Here's the bottom line: Florida should not fund antisemitism. If we don't stand up and vocally reject the hate from Kanye West, if we don't stop this concert, we're telling everyone that antisemitism is okay in Florida - as long as you can make some money with it. That puts an even bigger target on our Jewish community - more than anything Kanye West could say or do himself. Right now, it's the Jews. If we let this continue, hate like this will undermine all western civilization. We should do everything in our power to keep public money and resources out of that kind of event."

BACKGROUND

On June 4, 2026, Senator Scott sent a letter to the Tampa Sports Authority Board of Directors calling for the cancellation of Kayne West's upcoming concerts at taxpayer-funded venue, Raymond James Stadium. Senator Scott condemned the use of taxpayer dollars to platform antisemitism and hate saying it was a slap in the face to Florida's Jewish community. Read the full letter HERE.

Senator Scott has been a steadfast supporter of Israel and the Jewish community throughout his time as Governor of Florida and in the U.S. Senate. Recent actions include:

• Leading Senate passage of the bipartisan resolution recognizing Jewish American Heritage Month and condemning antisemitism earlier this month. Read more: Sen. Rick Scott's Jewish American Heritage Month Unanimously Passes Senate
• Reintroducing the Preventing Antisemitic Harassment on Campus Act, legislation to hold colleges and universities accountable when they fail to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment and discrimination. Read more: Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Antisemitism on College Campuses
• Meetings with Jewish leaders, students and community organizations throughout Florida to discuss security, religious freedom and ways to combat the alarming rise in antisemitism.

Following Iran-backed Hamas' horrific attacks on Israel, Senator Scott has traveled several times to Israel to meet with Israeli leaders, families of hostages and victims, and reaffirm America's unwavering support for Israel's right to defend itself.

Senator Scott has also taken the following actions and released the following statements so far in the 119^th Congress:

1. March 7, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Legislation to Prevent Antisemitism on College Campuses
2. March 26, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Reintroduces Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act
3. May 1, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Joins Sen. Jim Risch and Colleagues on Bill to Protect Israel at the United Nations
4. May 23, 2025: Sens. Rick Scott, Jacky Rosen Lead Passage of Resolution Recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month
5. June 2, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott: The Next UF President Must Fully Commit to Protecting Jewish Students and Fighting Woke Policies
6. August 27, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Announces Senate Salary Donation to United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
7. September 22, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott, Rep. Elise Stefanik Lead Bicameral Letter to Global Leaders Warning Recognition of a Palestinian State is Reckless and Dangerous
8. October 6, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bill to Prevent NYC's Mamdani from Arresting PM Netanyahu on U.S. Soil
9. October 7, 2025: Sen. Rick Scott Issues Statement on Second Anniversary of the October 7th Terrorist Attack
10. April 16, 2026: Sen. Rick Scott Introduces Bills to Defund UNRWA, Support Israel
11. May 19, 2026: Sen. Rick Scott's Jewish American Heritage Month Unanimously Passes Senate

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