Following a tumultuous few months for Kanye West – which have seen him claim that slavery was a “choice” and call for the abolition of the 13th Amendment – it seems that Yeezy’s venture into politics may have finally ground to a halt.
His recent visit to the White House was met with uproar and disgrace by Yeezy fans and fellow celebrities alike. During this televised Oval Office meeting, West hugged Donald Trump and waxed lyrical about the President’s political acumen.
This weekend, Kanye was further embroiled in Trump’s politics. This followed claims that he had designed the logo for “Blexit”, a pro-Trump initiative run by Turning Point USA which calls for African Americans to leave the Democratic Party.
Speaking at Turning Point’s Young Black Leadership Summit, Candace Owens unveiled new “Blexit” merchandise, saying: “I am blessed to say that this logo, these colours, were created by my dear friend and fellow superhero, Kanye West.”.
West swiftly went to Twitter to detach himself from the “Blexit” merchandise:
I introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn’t want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it.
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
This is before he embarked on a spree of unusual Tweets which announced his forthcoming political abstinence:
My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
I would like to thank my family, loved ones, and community for supporting my ACTUAL beliefs and my vision for a better world.
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
I support those who risk their lives to serve and protect us and I support holding people who misuse their power accountable.
I believe in love and compassion for people seeking asylum and parents who are fighting to protect their children from violence and war.
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
Such a quick change of mind has given reason for many to point towards West’s alleged mental health battles, which seemingly came to a head when he was checked into the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Centre with ‘stress’ and ‘exhaustion’.
For Trump, West’s apparent epiphany will surely be an irritation, with Kanye having been the marquee black endorsement for his presidency thus far.