Over the past several days, Kanye West has been on an extremely lengthy tweet spree, discussing freedom of speech and voicing his support for President Donald Trump, prominent Black conservative thought leader Candace Owens, and vocal right-winger and Dilbert artist Scott Adams.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988122922936975360
Conservatives gravitated toward West’s tweets, declaring him their newfound hero, as his sentiments aligned somewhat with what many of them had vocalized over the past couple of years.
On Wednesday, West again expressed support for Trump.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989179757651574784
To which, Trump said “thank you.”
Thank you Kanye, very cool! https://t.co/vRIC87M21X
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 25, 2018
West had earlier walked back a bit of his support after his wife, Kim Kardashian spoke with him.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989192498307219456
West also displayed his autographed MAGA merch.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989227154993963009
West met with Trump in Trump Tower when he was president-elect. Naturally, everyone had a great joke about that. Now that seems like more of a reality than a bleak humor.
Or it will be the pairing that saves us all.
💀 RT @FattMernandez: Trump is meeting with Kanye because Kanye is designing the uniforms for the camps. pic.twitter.com/luSzb7Uoi4
— Proposition Jo (@Air237Jordan) December 13, 2016
Chris Lambert, who hosts West-centric podcast Watching the Throne, thinks it’s performance art, but with a healthy dose of naivety. As he told the Dot in a statement:
Since his initial support of Trump, through his liking Candace Owens, to today, Kanye has focused on communication and free thinking. It’s never been about the micro of the politics and what’s said. But the macro of how it’s said and breaking through what people are told to say/think. Kanye was a producer and wasn’t supposed to be a rapper. He was a rapper who couldn’t be a pop star. Then he was a pop star who couldn’t be an artist. Then he was an artist but could be in fashion. It makes sense why Trump crossing over into politics would appeal.
I think people jump the gun when saying Kanye supports the politics of Trump, or Candace Owens, as Kanye has clearly stated other political views. He’s a futurist and progressive at his core.
And a few of the seemingly interesting details. Before all of this political content, he was speaking in a very zen, philosophical way. Then said “Controversy is my gym.” Then he’s gone all in on the politics. Ebro said that Kanye understood he’s getting Heat right now but will explain more on the album. So how much of this is Kanye being a performance artist and magnetizing attention?
And this is the same guy who tried to retake the Confederate flag as part of the Yeezus iconography. He probably has some views on the MAGA hat we haven’t heard yet.
With all that said, I do think it’s irresponsible/naive to ignore the politics of Trump, his administration, and his political allies. It seems Kanye has a point he’s building to, but it’s going to be a bumpy ride getting there. And, once we’re there, there’s a whole new debate that will follow.
Kim Kardashian defended her husband on Twitter, and Trump Jr. quickly stepped in to spin the situation in favor of team Trump.
#ImWithHer https://t.co/CoQVCJmbzH
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) April 25, 2018
For now, West seems elated at the attention.
https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989232654707912704
Editor’s note: This story has been updated for clarity and context.