UPDATE — 5/9/25 at 6:19 p.m. ET: News of Kanye West sending an alleged cease and desist to ex-wife Kim Kardashian appears to be false.
After breaking the news of the alleged memo on Friday, May 9, TMZ reported that West’s team informed the outlet that the letter was a “hoax” and the rapper had nothing to do with it.
TMZ initially reported on Friday that West, 47, reportedly sent Kardashian, 44 a “cease and desist” letter in an alleged breach of their custody arrangements over their children. West and Kardashian share daughters North, 11, and Chicago, 7, as well as sons Saint, 9, and Psalm, 5.
The outlet claimed a lawyer named Kathy Johnson detailed many alleged “violations” — including bringing North to the Met Gala — that they claim breach the exes’ divorce settlement. Us Weekly had not been able to verify the legal documents despite multiple calls to lawyers’ offices.
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Kardashian has not publicly addressed the alleged letter. Us Weekly has reached out for comment.
Kardashian attended the 2025 Met Gala solo on Monday, May 5. While it is not known whether the preteen was waiting in a car during the soirée, Kardashian did reveal that North joined her in the Big Apple via both social media footage and red carpet interviews.
“Every time I come to the Met, I love bringing my oldest daughter with me,” Kardashian told Vogue on Monday. “To see me get ready, and all her aunties [Kendall and Kylie Jenner] are in the hotel, and we’re all getting ready together, so it’s just a fun few days.”
Since the Skims mogul’s split from West, she has previously defended North from her father including her daughter’s desire to post videos on the mother-daughter duo’s joint “Kim and North” account.
“Kanye’s constant attacks on me in interviews and on social media is actually more hurtful than any TikTok North might create,” Kardashian said in a February 2022 statement. “As the parent who is the main provider and caregiver for our children, I am doing my best to protect our daughter while also allowing her to express her creativity in the medium that she wishes with adult supervision — because it brings her happiness. Divorce is difficult enough on our children and Kanye’s obsession with trying to control and manipulate our situation so negatively and publicly is only causing further pain for all.”
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She added, “It is what is best for our children and it saddens me that Kanye continues to make it impossible every step of the way. I wish to handle all matters regarding our children privately.”
Kardashian and West have joint legal and physical custody of their four children, though the Grammy winner claimed in his May letter that he “has been denied meaningful access,” including no contact with Saint.
West further accused Kardashian of exploiting the kids and their likenesses at public events without his consent for “personal or commercial gain.” He demanded that Kardashian stop posting photos of their children on all social media platforms, avoid bringing North to public events without his approval and “facilitate regular and unimpeded” access to North and her siblings.
