Kanye West explains his 'love' for Trump to Jimmy Kimmel, goes silent on whether Trump likes brown people
It was more than three minutes into Jimmy Kimmel's interview with Kanye West on Thursday's Kimmel Live before Kimmel brought up West's famously warm feelings for President Trump. Kimmel noted the strong, mixed reactions when West came out as a Trump supporter and asked if he thinks Trump is a good president. West tackled the first part, talking about choosing "love" over "fear" when he put on his MAGA hat.
"What it represented to me, it's not about policies — because I'm not a politician like that — but it represented overcoming fear and doing what you felt, no matter what anyone says," West said. "Liberals can't bully me, news can't bully me, the hip hop community, they can't bully me. Because at that point, if I'm afraid to be me, I'm no longer Ye." He added that he quite enjoys enraging people, then went on to discuss his views on slavery, being caught in a "simulation," and societal views on children, with a zinger: "We are too protective. We always don't want someone to get hurt — can you imagine me talking to my publicist before I said I'm going on TV again?"
West returned to love, and said society would be better if we treated everyone as our family, and Kimmel called that a "beautiful thought" then brought it back around to Trump. "In literal terms, there are families being torn apart at the border of this country ... as a result of what this president is doing," he said. "Whether we like his personality or not, his actions are really what matter. I mean, you so famously and powerfully said George Bush doesn't care about black people. It makes me wonder what makes you think Donald Trump does, or any people at all?" West sat silently in thought for a few seconds, Kimmel went to commercial, and they didn't discuss it again during the show. Watch below. Peter Weber
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Netherlands split on WFH for sex workers
Speed Read Councils concerned over 'nuisance' of at-home sex work, but others say changes will curb underground sex trade
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
'He adored Trump, and then rejected him'
Today's Newspapers A roundup of the headlines from the US front pages
By The Week Staff Published
-
The Thursday Murder Club: who's in the film and what we can expect
Speed Read Author Richard Osman reveals starry cast set to play his 'septuagenarian sleuths'
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Kevin Hart awarded Mark Twain Prize
Speed Read He is the 25th recipient of the prestigious comedy prize
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is Downton Abbey set to return for a final film?
Speed Read Imelda Staunton reveals that a third movie may be in the pipeline
By Adrienne Wyper, The Week UK Published
-
'Oppenheimer' sweeps Oscars with 7 wins
speed read The film won best picture, best director (Christopher Nolan) and best actor (Cillian Murphy)
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
'Rust' armorer convicted of manslaughter
speed read The film's cinematographer Halyna Hutchins was shot and killed by actor Alec Baldwin during rehearsal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The Beatles are getting 4 intersecting biopics
Speed Read Director Sam Mendes is making four separate movies, each told from the perspective of one band member
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift to Miley Cyrus: female artists dominate 2024 Grammys
Speed Read SZA, Phoebe Bridgers and Lainey Wilson were also among the winners at LA gala
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published