Kanye West sparks widespread confusion with 2020 presidential bid: 'This has to be a PR stunt'
The world is reacting to the news that Kanye West will run for president in 2020.
The rapper and fashion designer made the announcement with just four months to go until polling day on 3 November.
It has sparked widespread confusion on social media, with many dismissing the move as nothing more than a “PR stunt”.
“We must now realise the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,” West, 43, wrote on Independence Day. “I am running for president of the United States.”
It remains unclear whether the rapper has completed the official paperwork necessary to make such a bid.
“He can’t get on the ballot & even if he could literally nobody would take him seriously,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“He might as well announce he’s going to the moon. Stop giving this guy free publicity. He’s not running for anything,” another wrote.
“Good lord, somebody make 2020 stop,” another wrote as the news surfaced. One person stated: “I want out of this country.”
There were many, though, who felt more positive about West’s presidential bid.
“Literally any idea Kanye West has ever set his mind on, he accomplished!” one fan said, adding: ”I honestly believe we will see him as the president one day.”
Another person said they thought the Grammy Award winner would be a more appealing choice than both Donald Trump and Joe Biden.
His wife, Kim Kardashian West, and Tesla billionaire Elon Musk also shared their support on Twitter.
I never thought I’d say this, but I’ve had enough of @kanyewest for this lifetime. The #2020Election is too important. I hope this PR stunt ends immediately.
— George Hart-Hidalgo (@MrHartHidalgo)
So an delusional lunatic like Kanye West randomly announces he’s running for president, and y’all think it means he’s actually running for president? COME ON. He might as well announce he’s going to the moon. Stop giving this guy free publicity. He’s not running for anything.
— Palmer Report (@PalmerReport)
kanye west is running for president....which could make kim kardashian the first lady...i want OUT of this country no joke pic.twitter.com/53BwHpW9PM
— el (@lCECLDPOOL)
It doesn’t matter if he’s having some sort of episode, plugging an album, trying to steal votes from Biden to help Trump win, or serious about becoming president despite having missed many filing deadlines, Kanye West needs to **** all the way off for announcing a POTUS run today https://t.co/9jqcW5lYDO
— Seth Abramson (@SethAbramson)
Kanye West is running for president, and I am personally shocked that a wealthy celebrity with no political experience and close ties to reality TV could think they’d get elected.
— Byron Kaye (@byronkaye)
West previously teased he would run for president in 2024.
“If I decide to do it, it will be done, I’m not going to try,” he said in a radio interview with Power 92 Chicago’s DJ Pharris, adding: “Yes, 100 per cent it could happen… 2024.”
In 2018, West visited Trump at the White House while wearing a “Make America Great Again” cap. He said of the president: “I love this guy right here.”
West, one of the most successful musicians of his generation, has released 10 albums since 2004, one of which – 2014’s Watch the Throne – was a collaboration with Jay-Z.
His most recent release, Jesus Is King (2019), was the first to feature his Gospel choir, Sunday Service, which he formed in January 2019.
They released their own record, titled Jesus Is Born, on Christmas Day 2019.
West has also enjoyed success in the fashion industry, designing his own clothing and footwear under the Yeezy label. He has collaborated with popular brands, including Louis Vuitton and Nike.
He has been married to Kardashian since 2014. They have four children together: daughter North, 7, son Saint, 4, daughter Chicago, 2, and one-year-old son, Psalm.
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