Instead of Performing, Kanye West Discusses Policies With Trump
Kanye West and Trump spoke about social issues, hydrogen planes, mental health, endorsement deals, politics and more
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Seated across from President Donald Trump at the Resolute Desk, rapper Kanye West delivered a rambling, multipart monologue on Thursday, 11 October, that touched on social issues, hydrogen planes, mental health, endorsement deals, politics and oh so much more.
Seizing the spotlight from the typically center-stage president, West dropped the F-word, floated policy proposals — and went in for a hug.
“They tried to scare me to not wear this hat,” West said of his red ‘Make America Great Again’ cap. But, he said, “This hat, it gives me power in a way...You made a Superman cape for me,” he told Trump.
The unlikely allies spoke to reporters before a closed-door lunch that had been billed as a forum to discuss policy issues including manufacturing, gangs, prison reform and violence in Chicago, where West grew up.
Spectators at the show included Trump’s son-in-law and top adviser, Jared Kushner, former NFL star Jim Brown, the attorney for a gang leader serving time in federal prison, and a gaggle of reporters.
West-Trump Discuss North Korea, Prison Reform
The conversation began with an exchange on North Korea among Trump, Brown and West. Trump said the region was headed for war before he took over, and West commended him for stopping it. Brown said he liked North Korea; Trump agreed.
From there, West discussed prison reform and violence in inner-city Chicago. He brought up Larry Hoover, the leader of the Gangster Disciples who is serving a life sentence for murder, claiming: “The reason why they imprisoned him is because he started doing positive for the community. He started showing that he actually had power, he wasn’t just one of a monolithic voice, that he could wrap people around.”
On Hillary Clinton & Policing
West also said he “loved Hillary” Clinton, Trump’s 2016 Democratic rival, because he loves everyone, but said he connected with Trump’s “male energy.”
West also had a sartorial suggestion for Trump, proposing a hat that says just “Make America Great” — dropping the “again.”
Taking questions from reporters, the rapper also voiced concern about stop-and-frisk policing. Trump this week called on Chicago to embrace the tactic, which allowed police to detain, question and search civilians without probable cause, though it was deemed unconstitutional in New York City because of its overwhelming impact on minority residents.
Trump said they’d discuss the matter and he’d keep an open mind.
While Trump has been shunned by much of the Hollywood establishment, he has a fan in West, who tweeted earlier this year that the two share “dragon energy.”
“You don’t have to agree with Trump, but the mob can’t make me not love him. We are both dragon energy. He is my brother,” West wrote.
(This article has been published in an arrangement with The Associated Press)
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