As evidence has emerged that Republicans are working to get Kanye West on the presidential ballot – including in the key swing state of Wisconsin – the Daily Beast reported Thursday night that some of President Donald Trump’s allies are aware of the attempt .
It is not clear if Trump himself is involved in the plot. He denied knowledge of the plan and only showed love for West when he was recently asked about the matter by the press.
But the fundamental logic of the strategy is transparent, if not actually sound: Having West on the ballot could draw Biden’s votes and give Trump an edge, especially if the race is tight in key states.
Some have criticized the ideas underlying the apparent strategy as inherently racist, assuming that Black voters would be easily rejected by Biden because of a novelty campaign by a Black celebrity. And the Daily Beast reported Thursday that a top pollster for President John McLaughlin did not buy the theory.
“[It] could siphon from Trump Blacks who do not like Biden, “he said. Blacks who do not like Biden in a two-way race would vote for the president. Now they might consider Kanye. “
The Daily Beast also reported:
Seven sources are the president’s political job – senior officials, GOP operatives, campaign advisers, and people close to Trump – had mixed reactions when they spoke to Kanye in private this week.
There were some who applauded the emerging GOP-related dirty trick loudly to pump up West’s bizarre run, thinking it was at least an attempt, if it somehow bumped Team Biden into critical states. Several said West should seek professional help and support from lovers, instead of starting a long-running offer for the White House.
Forbes also reported on the bizarre move ahead of West following an exclusive text interview with the music star. It noted:
In a broad interview with Forbes last month about his political ambitions, West, who had never voted before, put up a platform for his “Birthday Party” that included a pro-life board claiming that Planned Parenthood was placed in cities by white supremacists, a management style that was patterned on the fictional land in Wakanda Black panther and conspiracy theories against faxing. In that interview, West also claimed that Trump was dumping. “I take off my red hat, with this interview.” His reason: “It looks like one big mess. I do not like that I caught wind that he hid in the bunker.”
However, he was reluctant to criticize Trump in addition to that. “Trump is the closest president we ‘ve had in years to allow God to still be a part of the conversation,” he said.
And West was envious of criticizing Biden, and expressed comfort with the idea of harming the former Vice President’s White House opportunities. “I do not deny it; I just told you.”
However, after that interview was published, West took to Twitter to throw cold water at the idea that he’s only there to serialize Biden:
Of course, no one seriously believes that West can win with the casual “campaign” effort he put forward. That he was lying just to cover up for his real purpose, or, as many fear and his wife suggested, he loses touch with reality and wrestles with mental health issues. If that’s the case, it’s really sad that all GOP traders encourage him.
