Kanye West Announces He's Running for President This Year
Kanye West marked the Fourth of July with a major announcement: He's officially running for U.S. president in 2020.
The 43-year-old shared the news via Twitter on Saturday night, writing: "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."
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
West has been teasing his presidential campaign for the past several years, originally saying he intended to run in 2024.
"One of my main things [I'll address] once I’m president is the medical industry," he said in a 2018 interview with Power 92.3's DJ Pharris. "I’m going to make sure that the medical industry flourishes. There’s one thing I learned by hanging around with Jay-Z, and being married to my wife, is you can’t fuck up the paper.. That's the problem with a lot of the radical leaders in the past."
West's decision to enter the 2020 race means he'll have to compete with his so-called "brother" Donald Trump. 'Ye has received plenty of backlash for his well=documented support of the incumbent president, even going so far as to don Trump's divisive MAGA hat. He told GQ earlier this year that he planned to vote for Trump in the upcoming election, as he refused to let cancel culture dictate his politics.
"We know who I’m voting on. And I’m not going to be told by the people around me and the people that have their agenda that my career is going to be over," he said. "Because guess what: I’m still here! Jesus Is King was No. 1! I was told my career would end if I wasn’t with her (Hillary Clinton). What kind of campaign is that, anyway? That’s like if Obama’s campaign was 'I’m with black.' What’s the point of being a celebrity if you can’t have an opinion? Everybody make their own opinion! You know?"
Assuming Kanye is serious, he'll have to work hard and swiftly to secure the presidency. He's already missed the filing deadline in a number of states, which means he'd likely have to run as a write-in candidate.
By my count, there are at least nine states where it's already too late for an independent candidate to get on the ballot. https://t.co/5XdLYGh3rk
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) July 5, 2020
By my count, there are at least nine states where it's already too late for an independent candidate to get on the ballot. https://t.co/5XdLYGh3rk
— Hunter Walker (@hunterw) July 5, 2020
But despite his unlikely chances, Kanye has already received two big endorsements: one from his wife, Kim Kardashian West, and the other from his good friend, Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) July 5, 2020
You have my full support!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2020
Naturally, Twitter users were torn over Kanye's announcement, with many pledging their support, others dismissing it as a joke, and some accusing 'Ye of trying to split the vote in favor of a Joe Biden loss. You can read some of the reactions below.
A good 5-6 million idiots finna write in Kanye & end up getting Trump re-elected smh https://t.co/pGsRyRTyaI
— Ross (@RossJ4Hunnid) July 5, 2020
one gotta go
— giabuchi (@jaboukie) July 5, 2020
"Kanye West is obviously Trump’s desperation plan to take votes from Biden.
This is like Biden convincing David Duke to run for President.
Hopefully Americans don’t fall for this disgusting trick."
-@HKrassenstein
Keep your eyes on the prize.#VoteBiden #EndTheNightmare https://t.co/04POvLp0aK— Chip Franklin (@chipfranklin) July 5, 2020
Americans when they have to choose between Donald Trump , Kanye West and Joe Biden for president: #Kanye2020 pic.twitter.com/imGEwMjjhR
— Rosa Parks’ Burner Account (@Rosasburner) July 5, 2020
I will be voting for Kanye West for President. pic.twitter.com/GEHqH4jblc
— Ronald Isley (@yoyotrav) July 5, 2020
Kanye announcing he’s running for President on THE FOURTH OF JULY is one of the most Kanye things to do as well as one of the best things to happen in 2020 😭 #Kanye2020 pic.twitter.com/xy9xhYrIfI
— Dom 🇵🇭 (@thatbrodom) July 5, 2020
If Kanye is running under a third party or as a democrat, he is obviously doing this to help Trump win.
— Frederick Joseph (@FredTJoseph) July 5, 2020
Kanye running for president doesn’t even break the top 50 craziest things to happen in 2020 pic.twitter.com/itYxhOXBf0
— patriotic matt🇺🇬 (@6godmatt) July 5, 2020
President: Kanye West
Vice-President: Pusha T
Mayor: Chief Keef
Secretary of State: Kid Cudi
Secretary of Treasury: Travis Scott pic.twitter.com/2k9W0ztvJB— JACK☆ (@ERLJACK) July 5, 2020
if kanye becomes president pic.twitter.com/jSsV9wc52b
— hue/riley (@huethekid) July 5, 2020
Kris when her plan to take over America works after Kanye becomes president #kanye2020 pic.twitter.com/TmKCwiIUCI
— ✨🌞 (@jcmg2800) July 5, 2020
The thing that makes Kanye a legitimate candidate for president is that he has a track record of successfully working with people who are the best and smartest in their field and listening to them
— Watching the Throne (@KanyePodcast) July 5, 2020
America having Biden, Trump or Kanye as our options for the next president 🥴🥴 pic.twitter.com/BS92K2hj8Y
— Johanna (@BadIdeasAreUs) July 5, 2020
me waking up from a nap seeing Kanye running for president #kanye2020 pic.twitter.com/f2ozbZdlhA
— ͏Vateo 📝🕳 (@VateoX) July 5, 2020
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