Is Kanye West really running for president? It’s hard to say, as the rapper has talked about it off and on for years now, including a very public declaration of his intentions back in 2015. That one had fans thinking he meant 2016, but maybe it was 2020?
The rapper got fans stirring again on the Fourth of July with yet another declaration, but this one came with a “2020 Vision” hashtag and a straight-up statement: “I am running for president of the United States.”
But is he? Really?
Ye dropped the American flag into his post, and shortly after his wife, Kim Kardashian, had a very short response to his declaration with an American flag of her own.
Response from fans and Hollywood alike was mixed at best. Eric Balfour responded to Kim, suggesting that she was endangering the mission of beating Trump at the polls. “This is the height of privilege,” he tweeted. “Ultimately it won’t hurt you, you’re wealthy enough to survive 4 more years of Trump!”
That’s because at this late juncture, West has no path forward with either the Democratic or Republican parties, as noted by 360aproko. Thus, he’d have to run as an independent candidate. It’s been many years since an independent pulled substantial numbers at the poll.
Thus, many see those candidates (or third-party candidates of any kind) as effectively playing spoiler come election night. And more often than not in recent years, the belief is that they pull votes from the Democratic candidate, thus Balfour’s concerns Kanye could hurt Biden’s chances of beating Trump.
It’s also worth noting that 360aproko further reports Kanye has done no filing with the FEC, though it’s possible he intends to do so as soon as the holiday weekend is over. Until then, though, this is all just idle nonsense and something to talk about.
The Wests also both have a relationship of sorts with the president, though there are those who question its genuineness. In particular, Kim, who spoke with the president as part of her efforts to get Alice Johnson freed from prison.
Kanye, on the other hand, very famously went on tirade after tirade in support of the president, perhaps most notably at 360aproko and “SNL,” before being granted an equally frantic sit-down meeting with Trump.
He’s since distanced himself from the president and shifted onto a more spiritual path, with his famous Sunday Service initiative drawing thousands of onlookers in recent years.
That said, many online think that because of this perceived friendship between the Kardashian/Jenner family and the Trumps, this could be a concerted effort to try and keep Trump in office by diverting votes away from Biden.
Still others simply think this is Kanye raising awareness for his brand by getting headlines through a cheap stunt. In particular, he just dropped a new single and could very well have a new album on the way. Perhaps it’s presidentially-themed.
One thing’s for sure, though, is that the Kardashian West family (and extended Jenners, for that matter) certainly have the fuding to mount a massive campaign Bloomberg-style, should they wish. With Kim’s $900 million value per Forbes, joining Kanye’s billionaire status, they potentially have more money than either Biden or Trump to play with.
Serious or not, Kanye’s big statement definitely has people in and out of Hollywood talking. Some in Hollywood quickly (and jokingly) wondered if they should run, too. And, of course, there are plenty who think he isn’t even serious.
Kanye, the Kardashians and even “First Lady” for Kim started trending on Twitter with reactions.
