Taylor Swift has officially responded to Kanye West’s latest online tirade not with a song, but through legal channels. The pop star has reportedly sent West a cease and desist notice following a series of sexually explicit and defamatory posts he made about her on X on April 10.
In the now-deleted tweets, West didn’t just go after Swift; he dragged in Justin Bieber and Harry Styles, making wild and offensive claims about their alleged involvement with the singer. Without a shred of proof, West claimed the trio had been sexually involved and said he was “mad” he hadn’t “slept with Taylor yet.” These remarks sparked immediate backlash, not only from Swift's fans but from the wider public and even some of West’s remaining supporters.
A now-deleted X post by Kanye West, where he made a graphic and baseless claim involving Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, and Harry Styles Twitter
According to a source close to Swift, this wasn’t just immature gossip but it crossed the line into targeted harassment and that Swift saw no choice but to act. The cease and desist letter is said to demand that West immediately stop spreading false and damaging content about her. If he doesn’t comply, legal action could follow.
This public clash comes during what appears to be another downward spiral for West, who is trying to claw his way back into the music world after facing heavy fallout for past controversies, including antisemitic comments. He’s lost partnerships, faced career setbacks including claims that Swift’s 2009 VMA incident is partly why he never got a Super Bowl halftime slot and now seems to be lashing out in all directions.
Kanye West’s past with Taylor Swift continues to make headlines, years after their onstage clash at the VMAsGetty Images
The decade-old feud between Swift and West began with that infamous VMA moment where he interrupted her acceptance speech, insisting Beyoncé deserved the award. It escalated in 2016 when West released Famous claiming he “made that b**ch famous,” which Swift publicly rejected. Their fallout has since become one of pop culture’s most toxic dramas.
But this time, Swift’s response is more serious. She’s chosen legal action over lyrics. Her fans and even many who aren’t typically in her corner are applauding the move, calling it long overdue. While West has yet to publicly respond to the cease and desist, his silence might be the smartest thing he can do right now.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.