Kanye West returned to Twitter on April 25, 2018 with a bang by sharing his controversial support for President Donald Trump, sending fans into an uproar.
You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
This support for Trump caused a lot of negative backlash from fans and other celebrities.
Freshman Jillian O’Connell says, “When I first saw Kanye’s tweets, I was just shocked. I would not expect someone like him, surrounded by strong women and other minorities, to support Trump.”
West continued with no clear affiliation or preference through his declaration of support to Hillary Clinton.
If your friend jumps off the bridge you don't have to do the same. Ye being Ye is a fight for you to be you. For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don't tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary I love Hillary too. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
In West’s next tweet, he explains, “Love who you want to love. That’s free thought. I’m not even poltitical. I’m not a democrat or a republican.”
Though he defends his tweets by saying they are “in love not fear,” many fans are still confused by his intent.
West showed no support to prior Republican president George Bush, famously saying, “George Bush does not care about black people,” yet is now showing support for a man who has been notoriously quoted as calling African nations “sh*tholes.”
Freshman Paul Graetzig said, “To me, it really seemed like Kanye was a liberal. He disliked Bush, and Trump has not really shown much respect for people of color, either. I guess Kanye just likes to be bold. Honestly, it is really hard to understand his views and motive.”
Approximately an hour later, West tweeted that he did not agree with everything Trump does and claimed he only agreed with himself, again confusing many fans.
my wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don't agree with everything Trump does. I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
As his intentions were unclear, many speculated these tweets and his overall return to Twitter as a publicity stunt for his new music. In one of the two songs that West has just released, “Ye Vs. The People,” West peppers the song with endorsements for Trump.
“Ye Vs. The People” is a strong political song where West raps about his dislike for Obama and explains he would rather love than hate.
Obama was in office for eight years and nothing in Chicago changed. — KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
Though his words may come as a shock to many, bold statements like these are not new for West as he has always been outspoken and attention-demanding.
Freshman Timothy Tuen says, “Kanye is known for saying some bold stuff. Like when he said he was going to run for president after he stole the microphone from Taylor Swift during her speech.”
With the combination of West’s tweets, new music, and prior political statements it is hard to understand West’s actions.
What did you think of Kanye West’s support for Trump?