Former Donda Academy employee Benjamin Provo is asking a judge to stop Kanye West from raising an “unsound mind” argument as their discrimination case heads toward an October trial.
Benjamin Provo has filed a motion seeking to limit Kanye West from relying on his mental state as a defense in their ongoing employment dispute. According to court documents reported by TMZ, Provo argues that Ye did not produce medical records or identify an expert witness to support such a position during discovery.
Provo, who worked at Donda Academy in 2021, sued West in 2024 and accused him of discrimination and wrongful termination. He alleges that West objected to his dreadlocks and treated Black employees more harshly than White employees, while West has denied the claims and denied firing Provo because of his hairstyle.
The new filing also points to West’s own deposition testimony. When asked whether he felt he was not himself around the period when Donda Academy was operating, West answered, “No. I think that was close to me being myself, but people change, though, too,” before adding, “sometimes I intend to do good and still end up in deposition.” Provo’s attorneys are using that testimony to argue against allowing a late mental-capacity defense.
The dispute over what the jury can hear comes as both sides prepare for trial. A Los Angeles-area court report says the case is set for a nonjury trial on October 12, while Provo’s lawyers maintain that West’s mental condition is not relevant to the employment claims at issue.
West has also been trying to narrow the evidence that can be introduced in the case. In a separate pretrial move, his attorneys have sought to keep past antisemitic social media posts and related material away from the proceedings, arguing that they are not relevant to the allegations surrounding Donda Academy.
The case adds another legal matter to a busy stretch for the artist. West recently settled a separate lawsuit brought by former assistant Lauren Pisciotta, while his music and fashion ventures have continued to keep him in the public eye. The judge’s ruling on Provo’s motion could determine how much, if at all, West’s mental state can factor into the upcoming trial.
More News, Kanye West Concert Delivers $11 Million Tourism Boost to Kazakhstan
OTF Vonnie Says 6ix9ine’s ‘Slide for Von’ Pressure Added Fuel to Lil Durk Tensions
September 01, 2026
