Kanye West knows how to play the media like almost no other artist, and when he took to Twitter to announce he's running for US President in 2020, the Internet went into overdrive.
Taking to Twitter, Kanye tweeted, "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."
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
There's a few theories floating trying to work out what Kanye is up to with this latest announcement, and we've taken a look at a few of our favourites. There truly is no-one quite like Kanye out there.
He's promoting his new album, God's Country
Kanye is usually up to some antics when he's promoting a new album, and he's got his new album God's Country on the way. He recently released the first single from the album, Wash Us In The Blood, so it makes sense for Kanye to try and get himself back in the news cycle - after all, he always wants as many people as possible to hear his music.
He's trying to get Donald Trump re-elected
Kanye's been vocal about his support for Trump in the past, and as recently as May, implied to GQ he still believes in Trump's platform. "We know who I’m voting on. 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."
Some people suspect that Kanye is actually attempting to divide voters, and get Trump re-elected. By splitting the people that would otherwise have voted for Joe Biden, a Kanye bid for the presidency might just pave the way for Trump to get a second term. It's nefarious, but it could be part of an elaborate plan.
Kanye West "running for president" isn't that. Remember, he's in bed with Donald Trump.
It's a ploy to divide the black vote and take votes away from Joe Biden.
What is it going to take for people to stop supporting Kanye?
See him for how he is, not how you want him to be.— Protect Trans Kids / BLM ??? (@MunroeBergdorf) July 5, 2020
It's something he's always wanted to do
Back in 2015, at the MTV Video Music Awards, Kanye ended his acceptance speech after winningt he Video Vanguard Award by saying he'd run for president in 2020. At the end of his speech, Kanye said, "I have decided in 2020 to run for president." Maybe he watched the speech again, and decided to stay true to his promise?
He's trolling everyone
Kanye doesn't mind trolling people, and given his recent hangout with Elon Musk, the presidency bid could be a scheme the pair concocted together.
You have my full support!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 5, 2020
According to a CNN article, Kanye still needs to "register with the Federal Election Commission, present a campaign platform, collect enough signatures to get on the November ballot and more." So far, he hasn't done any of that. Furthermore, he's missed the deadline to file as an independent candidate in many states. He can still be written in on the ballot, but that seems like an unlikely way to launch a successful bid for Presidency.
Whatever Kanye is up to, we're confident this isn't the end of his plan. We're going to wait and see what comes next, because one thing is for sure - you can never quite predict what Kanye West is thinking of doing next.
