Kanye West is hitting the pavement this weekend in a bid to become the next president of the United States with a campaign rally in Charleston, South Carolina just days after the announcement of his forthcoming project Donda.
The event took place at the Exquis Event Center on Ashley Phosphate Road. Attendees were granted entry only if they registered beforehand. Additionally, they were also asked to stay six feet apart, wear a mask and sign a COVID-19 liability release form.
Around 5 p.m. EST, West took the stage donning a bulletproof vest to answer questions from the crowd and share what he would do if elected. At one point, the 43-year-old rapper said he would make weed legal and free.
Ye also touched on topics such as abortion, slavery, guns and racism. Furthermore, he threatened to exit his relationship with adidas and Gap unless they put him on their respective boards.
“Politics, America, Trump, Biden, nor Kanye West can free us,” he told the crowd. He also said he didn’t care whether or not he actually won the election.
On July 4, Kanye West announced his intentions on running for president and gained support from the likes of YG, Elon Musk and Chance The Rapper, including his wife Kim Kardashian-West. Musk and Chance, however, have taken back their support amid recent reports that West is in the midst of a manic episode. A few times, West announced that he was no longer running. Now, it seems that he is serious about running.
West was recently placed on the presidential ballot in Oklahoma by paying a $35,000 fee and is hoping to be added to the ballot in South Carolina through a petition that can be found on his website kanye2020.country. The former Trump supporter has until July 20 afternoon to submit signatures to be filed as an independent presidential candidate in the state.
In some states, such as California, he still has time to officially be added to the ballot.
Watch a replay of Kanye West’s 2020 presidential rally in Charleston, South Carolina below.