Kanye West announces he is challenging Donald Trump for US president - and Elon Musk gives his support

The 21-time Grammy winner has been a vocal support of Donald Trump
Ewan Somerville5 July 2020

Kanye West has announced he is running for US president, sparking an internet storm.

The rapper revealed he would be challenging Donald Trump and his Democrat rival Joe Biden in a message to his 29 million Twitter followers overnight.

”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,” he declared.

The post, shared more than 340,000 times, was accompanied by a stars and stripes flag and “#2020VISION”.

His wife, Kim Kardashian West, replied with an American flag.

Kanye West - In pictures

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The 43-year-old Stronger artist used American Independence Day to make the announcement, a symbolic move that seemingly ends years of speculation over his presidential plans.

However, it is unclear whether he was serious about the move, or whether he has filed any official paperwork to run.

The deadline to add independent candidates to the ballot has not yet passed in many states.

He secured the immediate support of Elon Musk, the Tesla chief executive behind America’s recent space push, who tweeted: “You have my full support!”

West has been a vocal supporter in the past of Mr Trump, who is seeking a second term. His campaign could split the expected two-horse race between the incumbent and Mr Biden, the former US vice-president.

It is unclear whether Kanye, pictured with wife Kim Kardashian, has filed any official paperwork
AFP via Getty Images

Mr Trump’s Democrat challenger will be confirmed in August at the party conventions, ahead of polling day on November 3.

It comes against a backdrop of plummeting approval ratings for Mr Trump, whose actions have been under close scrutiny during the coronavirus pandemic.

It is not the first time that West, a 21-time Grammy winner, has announced he is running for president.

The rapper, who is said to have a net worth valued at $1.3bn (£1.05bn), told a crowd at a New York business festival last year that he would run for president in 2024.

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