Kanye West threw Twitter and his entire fanbase into a tailspin this week when he tweeted out numerous pro-Trump messages, including a photo of himself in a Make America Great Again hat. For a musician who has spent much of his career advocating for black empowerment and railing against white supremacy, it was a shocking move.
we got love pic.twitter.com/Edk0WGscp6
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
Progressive fans were incensed and conservatives were thrilled. While Republicans love to bash Hollywood and dismiss celebrities who support Democrats, their slavering celebration of Kanye’s tweets shows how starved for validation and celebrity influence they really are. Many prominent musicians condemned Kanye for his support of the racist, incompetent president, with many of them choosing to unfollow him on Twitter.
Chance the Rapper, a close friend and mentee of Kanye, refused to abandon his friend. Chance tweeted out that “Black people don’t have to be democrats,” which, while true, didn’t address the actual problem at hand.
People weren’t angry at Kanye for flirting with conservative views, they were angry that he was spreading a pro-Trump message. There are Republicans, and then there are Trumpists. The former, while often wrong about the issues, largely care about the welfare of the country. Trumpists do not. They care only about enriching themselves, affirming white supremacy, and wielding power.
Black people don’t have to be democrats.
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 25, 2018
Trump was thrilled to have Chance’s support.
Kanye West has performed a great service to the Black Community – Big things are happening and eyes are being opened for the first time in Decades – Legacy Stuff! Thank you also to Chance and Dr. Darrell Scott, they really get it (lowest Black & Hispanic unemployment in history).
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) April 27, 2018
Now, Chance seems to have realized that his support of his friend Kanye is being weaponized in bad faith by Trump and the GOP and he’s putting his foot down. He sent a blunt response to Trump’s tweet.
Nah that aint it yo https://t.co/hqA1NYGxE2
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
Chance then followed up with a heartfelt, long-form apology that explained the rationale behind his original tweet. He said that he only wanted to support a friend but sees now that his words are being used by people to hurt and discredit those fighting for social justice and meaningful change. Chance said he can never support someone who spreads hatred, racism, and discrimination, a clear reference to Trump.
My fault yo pic.twitter.com/TIWhG8o1ST
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) April 27, 2018
Chance should be commended for his mature, articulate handling of this situation. His original intention — to defend a friend — was admirable, if poorly timed. and now his apology is a powerful rebuke of Trumpism.
