Everything
In 2018, Kanye West first suggested he would one day run for president. In 2019, the rapper announced 2024 would be his year to step into the political spotlight. Now, the 43-year-old has announced on Twitter, his presidential run would occur in the coming months, joining Donald Trump and Joe Biden in the fight to govern America.
“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,” West published to Twitter. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, quickly responded with a public endorsement. “You have my full support!”
You have my full support!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2020
But what are the realities of Kanye West winning the presidential election, particularly so late in the game? According to election ruling, West will need to get his name on the ballot in all 50 states, with just two avenues of doing so. ‘Ye will need to secure the backing of a smaller political party, or register as an independent candidate. Deadlines for the latter have already passed in a number of states however.
READ: HOW K-POP AND TIKTOK FANS BECAME POLITICAL ICONS OF THE 2020 ELECTION
Nevertheless, if West does sign as an independent candidate, he would then need a large team of employees or volunteers to gather thousands of much-needed signatures around the country before registration closes in August and September. Which currently appears to be an enormous task.
Larry Sabato, director of the University of Virginia’s Center for Politics, told The Guardian that even with a serious campaign, West’s impact would be ultimately small and would only be able to take a few percentage points from Trump and Biden.
Does this last minute decision mean any meaningful impact is lost? It could. It is believed that Kanye West’s primary focus in the oval office would be on healthcare and finance.
“One of my main things once I’m president is the medical industry. I’m going to make sure that the medical industry flourishes,” he said.“There’s one thing I learned by hanging around with Jay-Z, and being married to my wife, is you can’t f**k up the paper,” he told reporters in 2018.
“That’s the problem with a lot of the radical leaders in the past. I’m not going in, when I become president, to f**k up the paper, because I tell you what? Trump ain’t f***ing up the paper. Those jobs are up, those taxes are being saved.”
If anything, the move explains Musk’s appearance in an early Twitter post, where West potentially hinted a collaboration of sorts.
This is a developing story so stay tuned.
