Rapper Kanye West announces US presidential bid
Los Angeles, US, July 5 (efe-epa).- American rapper Kanye West has announced that he would be running for presidential elections later this year after having supported United States President Donald Trump’s reelection bid.
“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,” West wrote in a Twitter post with the hashtag #2020VISION.
The announcement to challenge Trump and his likely Democratic rival, Joe Biden, came on Saturday when the US was in the middle of the July Fourth celebrations.
It is not the first time that the 43-year-old African-American musician, who, according to Forbes magazine, is the highest-paid star in 2020, has speculated about his foray into politics.
West also chose a significant day for his announcement since July 4 is the most important political holiday in the US, which celebrates the day to mark the country’s Declaration of Independence.
The musician and his team have not given more details about the development or about the steps that would be taking in the coming days.
He also didn’t make it clear whether he would be running as an independent candidate or supported by any political party.
The latest announcement made four months before the Nov. 3 election did not make it clear if he has filed for appearing on state election ballots even though the deadline to add independent candidates to the ballot has not passed in many states.
West has been a strong supporter of Trump and his idea of politics.
He and his wife Kim Kardashian West met Trump in 2018 during a meeting at the White House to discuss violence and the prison system in the US.
Clad in a red cap with the slogan “Make America Great Again,” the celebrated musician then called the president a hero and thanked him for making him feel “like Superman”.
In 2019 during promotional interviews for his album “Jesus is King”, West spoke of his intentions for a White House bid although he said he would be contesting in 2024.
“When I run for president in 2024, we will have created so many jobs that I will not run, I will walk,” he said.
West is now expected to specify his campaign team and, if in line with the political principles he has defended, he would be a rival of Trump, whose nomination by the Republican Party is taken for granted.
West’s announcement has received an endorsement from businessman Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX.
“You have my full support,” Musk wrote on Twitter. EFE-EPA
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