Tears and Rambling during Kanye West’s Presidential Campaign

WASHINGTON, KOMPAS.com – After recently announcing plans to run for US president, Kanye West’s presidential campaign kicked off in Charleston, South Carolina.

The American rapper delivered rambling remarks and professed his anti-pornography and anti-abortion stance at his campaign event which lasted a little over one hour.

At one point, Kanye West broke down in tears as well as arguing with attendees about policies.

The rapper has since denounced his support for current US President Donald Trump though Kanye’s presidential bid has left the American public befuddled.

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There are questions over whether Kanye West’s presidential campaign is genuine or a publicity stunt to drive sales of album and merchandise.

In his many remarks, Kanye 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.

The event, which was live-streamed 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 several deadlines to appear on key state ballots.

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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 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."

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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. 

(Writer: Pete Schroeder | Editor: Heather Timmons, Peter Cooney and Diane Craft) 

Source: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-kanye-west/a-tearful-kanye-west-launches-presidential-campaign-with-rambling-rally-idUSKCN24K0U8