In his first rally for his last-minute presidential campaign, rapper Kanye West ranted against abortion and pornography, argued policy with attendees and at one point broke down in tears.
West, 43, a former supporter of President Donald Trump who has left voters befuddled over whether his campaign is genuine or a publicity stunt to help sell albums or merchandise, delivered rambling remarks during the event at a Charleston, South Carolina, wedding venue and convention center.
Kanye West gives confusing speech for presidential campaign
In remarks that lasted just over an hour, he denounced abortion, swore, called on random members to speak, appeared to be putting forward policy proposals on the fly, and made comments that left even those in attendance muttering in disbelief.
“Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves. She just had the slaves work for other white people,” he said at one point when discussing economic inequality.
Rapper Kanye West launched his presidential campaign with a rambling speech in South Carolina https://t.co/pPGHsNi1Pj pic.twitter.com/nX7By2hgbW
— Reuters (@Reuters) July 20, 2020
The event, which was livestreamed on YouTube and carried on local television stations, did little to clarify whether West is genuinely attempting to win the presidency. The campaign he launched with a July 4 tweet has already missed here several deadlines to appear on key state ballots.
At times, he even seemed to suggest he was more interested in disseminating a message than winning the presidency.
“Freedom does not come from an election. The freedom comes from you not loading up the pornography. The freedom comes from you not taking the Percoset,” he said at one point.
West’s presidential rally very unusual
West appeared on stage with “2020” shaved into the back of his head and wearing what appeared to be a military-style vest. He argued that abortion should be legal but heavily discouraged, suggesting he would promote a policy as president that anyone who gives birth to a child be given $1 million “or something in that family.”
West referred to the Bible and Christian teachings multiple times, and broke down in tears at one point while describing how he was nearly aborted by his parents.
“The only thing that can free us is by obeying the rules that were given to us for a promised land,” he said. “Abortion should be legal because guess what? The law is not by God anyway, so what is legality?”
The event carried few similarities with typical polished candidate events. The venue appeared to lack audience microphones, so West repeatedly told the crowd to be silent so audience members he called on could be heard.
Fans have questioned whether his last-minute bid for the White House is actually a promotional stunt.
The Charleston rally did little to clarify whether his run is genuine. But a now-deleted tweet sent from West’s account on Saturday, appearing to show the song list for a new album, added to the speculation.
The event, held at a wedding and conference hall in the city, was said to be open to registered guests only – but West’s campaign website had no function for people to register or RSVP.
Strategy to support Trump?
Kanye West, who is a known supporter of Trump, along with his equally famous wife Kim Kardashian had announced his 2020 presidential run in early July.
But no one knows if Kanye West has even filed his papers. This is first week of July and literally four months are left to the November Elections – though technically papers can still be filed through some states.
Read more: Kanye West standing for President: strategy to support Trump?
Whether Kanye West is serious or is cracking a joke, no one knows. But at least two American celebrities believe him and are ready to back him. One of them is Elon Musk, billionaire and founder of Electric car, Tesla. And the second one is his wife: Kim Kardashian.
Elon Musk tweeted his support under Kanye’s Tweet:
You have my full support!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2020
No one knows where Kanye West stands on the American political theatre – for a time, the singer was one of the few high-profile Trump supporters in the entertainment industry but was never able to articulate why; it seemed to be an aesthetic choice, based on personality rather than policy.
News Desk with additional input from other sources