Current Affairs

In his latest seeming break from reality, hip-hop superstar and self-proclaimed “genius” Kanye West said he believes God told him to run for president, breaking away from President Donald Trump, who he has previously supported.

The red MAGA (“Make America Great Again”) hat, it seems, is off.

West said this in an interview with Forbes published last week, adding that he no longer supported Trump and also doubted Democrat challenger Joe Biden’s ability to unite black voters. “I am taking the red hat off with this interview. Let’s see if the appointing is in 2020 or if it’s 2024 – because God appoints the president,” the 43-year-old told Forbes. 

“If I win in 2020 then it was God’s appointment.”

West is no stranger to controversy and eyebrow-raising statements. He first set off a furore among music enthusiasts and black Americans in general back in 2018, when he famously wore a red MAGA cap to a 2018 Oval Office meeting with Trump. He sparked his latest controversy when he tweeted his challenge for the presidency two weeks ago – a sentence that should hardly surprise anyone anymore these days.

We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States 🇺🇸! #2020VISION

— ye (@kanyewest) July 5, 2020

Hundreds of thousands of Twitter users reacted to his announcement, with many questioning initially whether he would go through with his plan and others calling it a publicity stunt.

His wife, reality star Kim Kardashian, replied with a US flag emoji, while Tesla CEO Elon Musk wrote: “You have my full support!”

Now, suspicions are that his vaunted run at the top spot is a ruse to spoil Biden’s challenge, as he largely avoided criticising Trump. 

“Kanye Finally Dumps Trump” – Don’t fall for this. This has likely been orchestrated in coordination with Trump to siphon off votes that would otherwise go to Biden. He is not done with Trump. He is collaborating with him.

— Mr. Game & Watch (@mistergwatch) July 8, 2020

West has yet to formally join the ballot in multiple states, but says he will make a final decision about running within 30 days.

Observers point out that despite his absence from ballots, a write-in campaign could damage Biden, particularly in swing states where Trump narrowly won in 2016. He has gained a measure of support from fellow entertainer Chance the Rapper, who equally raised eyebrows when the latter announced that he was in favour of Kanye as president.

And yall out here tryna convince me to vote for Biden. Smfh https://t.co/JgbGBmPQk5

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 13, 2020

Chance received no small amount of blowback on social media, as he doubled down on his support of Kanye against Biden. He asked followers if they were more pro-Biden or anti-West, and why. A few cited West’s anti-abortion and anti-vaccine comments as troubling stances for Democratic voters.

Are u more pro biden or anti ye and why? I get that you’ll want to reply that you’re just tryna “get trump out” but in this hypothetical scenario where you’re replacing Trump, can someone explain why Joe Biden would be better??

— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) July 13, 2020