In typical Kanye West fashion, the outspoken rapper shocked his fans with an unexpected tirade about the U.S. election, racism and Donald Trump at a concert in San Jose, Calif. on Thursday night. Audience members shared videos online of West’s ranting, which monopolized an hour of the show according to one fan who live-tweeted the event. During one outburst, West declared that he didn’t vote in the presidential election earlier this month, but if he did, he would have voted for Trump.
“If I would’ve voted, I would’ve voted on Trump,” West announced.
"I would've voted for Trump" - @kanyewest pic.twitter.com/XtyUteCgUZ
— albertoreyes (@albertoreyes) November 18, 2016
The comment was met mostly by boos from the crowd although some audience members could be heard cheering in a few of the videos posted online. Some fed-up fans even stated in posts on social media that they were leaving the show.
Kanye just said he would’ve voted Trump. San Jose is packing its bags up.
— Rahul Krishnakumar (@rkrishnakumar) November 18, 2016
At the Kanye concert and he's been talking about politics, 2020, opinions, education system. People are sitting and leaving pic.twitter.com/GLDWdps6YS
— SheryAnne (@yema74) November 18, 2016
Twitter lit up with angry posts slamming the musician for supporting the controversial future president.
And with that, Kanye is completely over, for me. I was hanging on to give him a chance. But, he's done.
— Δx Δp ≥ ℏ/2 (@HeckPhilly) November 18, 2016
Damn!!! @kanyewest, you're such a disappointment to the Bay Area, to the youth, and this country. #✌️
— Anthony (@FlacoAnthony) November 18, 2016
Kanye show was not the move. He lost me at "I would have voted for Trump"
— Jewel Burks (@jewelmelanie) November 18, 2016
Kanye West on racism
The provocative musician told his audience that he agreed with some of Trump’s ideals but that it didn’t mean he doesn’t support women’s rights or Black Lives Matter movements. He told his agitated listeners they should stop focusing on racism in the U.S. because it’s just a fact. He said neither Trump nor Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton would have been able to change that.
“Specifically to black people, stop focusing on racism. This world is racist, okay? Let’s stop being distracted to focus on that as much.” West remarked. “We are in a racist country, period.”
West is known for making his opinions about race public. In 2005, he infamously declared that then-president George W. Bush didn’t care about black people during a live telethon raising money for Hurricane Katrina victims.
Many fans were just upset that they were forced to listen to his ideological views instead of the music they expected.
Kanye now playing Blood on the Leaves. There have been 13 stops, about 1 hour of ranting so far.
— Raptor (@RaptorJesuss) November 18, 2016
Professor Kanye, will you be posting the notes online after lecture? #SaintPabloTour
— Joe Manfredi (@joe_manfredi) November 18, 2016
Kanye West really just ranted for half his show @SAPCenter #SaintPabloTour
— Edrizzy (@Edwardinho11) November 18, 2016
@Ticketmaster I want a #REFUND for my Kanye West tickets in San Jose, I've heard more than 30mins of ranting about politics! BS! #firsttweet pic.twitter.com/yPAk0BnpSI
— David Kim (@kimcheeman) November 18, 2016
Kanye West on running for president
The attention-grabbing rapper also took the opportunity to reaffirm his earlier commitment to run for president in 2020. Although he said he didn’t agree with all of Trump’s policies, West said he did admire his communication style. West told the crowd that he would run using a new model that would focus on education.
“We can start with America. And bring together the best of all skill sets. Education, housing. There’s so many elements that I’ve been out here learning,” West said.
Twitter users had mixed reactions to the apparent seriousness of the musician’s presidential bid.
Kanye just said he thinks he'll have the experience in 2020 to run for office, I'm dead serious, Kanye just said he's preparing for 2020.
— Raptor (@RaptorJesuss) November 18, 2016
Kanye west running for presidency in 2020 don't sound so crazy anymore #KanyeWest #2020 #president
— jermaine pennant (@pennant83) November 9, 2016