This archive report was first published on 5 July 2020.
On July 4, 2020, American rapper Kanye West, a vocal supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump, made a surprise announcement on Twitter that he would run for president in 2020, challenging both Trump and his presumptive Democratic rival, former Vice President Joe Biden.
West's tweet read: '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 accompanied the message with an American flag emoji and the hashtag #2020VISION.
It was unclear whether West was serious about vying for the presidency or if he had filed any official paperwork to appear on state election ballots. The deadline to add independent candidates to the ballot had not yet passed in many states.
West and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, have visited Trump in the White House, and West has been known for his eccentric behavior, including a 2018 meeting with Trump where he delivered a rambling, profanity-laden speech.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, endorsed West's tweet, writing: 'You have my full support!'
