Rapper Kanye West said this weekend he is running for president, but most pundits believe it’s a publicity stunt for an upcoming new album.
West said earlier this year he was voting for President Trump this November.
“We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,” West tweeted. “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 tweeted his plans days after teasing a new song and announcing a new album titled “God’s Country.”
Fans immediately tweeted their support for the musician and business mogul, who has a history of promoting himself and his projects with political statements.
So far, it doesn’t appear West has any intention of actually running for president.
With the election only four months away, West still needs to register with the Federal Election Commission, present a campaign platform, collect enough signatures to get on the November ballot and more.
He has already missed the deadline to file as an independent candidate in many states.
Still, he’s garnered at least one notable endorsement. Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who was recently photographed with West, responded to his tweet with: “You have my full support!”
You have my full support!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2020
Democrats are concerned that West race could siphon votes off Biden to Trump’s advantage, to quote Kanye’s 2010 track Power: “No one man should have all that power/The clock’s ticking, I just count the hours.”
West, who faced backlash after he wore a red “Make America Great Again” hat, which he said made him feel like Superman, to an October 2018 Oval Office meeting with Trump, told GQ earlier this year “I’m definitely voting this time,” when asked whether he plans to speak more about the upcoming election.
“And we know who I’m voting on,” said West, who appeared on the cover of the magazine’s May issue.
“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. Because guess what: I’m still here!”
Kim Kardashian West also retweeted her husband’s announcement with an American flag emoji.
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) July 5, 2020
West’s announcement isn’t the first time he’s teased the idea of running for president.
West first said he would run for president at the 2015 MTV Video Music Awards.
He ended his acceptance speech for the Video Vanguard Award by saying he would run in 2020.
But in January 2019, he tweeted “2024,” seemingly delaying his plans.
In a May 2018 interview with Charlamagne tha God, West said if he were to run his platform would be “the Trump campaign and maybe the Bernie Sanders principles. That would be my mix.”
Over the past few years, West has both gained and lost fans over his vocal support of Trump. West regularly tweeted his admiration for the President, donned a red “Make America Great Again” hat, and visited the Oval Office.
However, he’s recently diverged from Trump over the Black Lives Matter movement and protests against police brutality and racial injustice.
In June, West donated $2 million to support the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor, three Black people who were killed in incidents with police and citizens.