Kanye West, the well-known rapper, fashion designer, and entrepreneur, recently surprised many by officially abandoning his plans to run for president in 2024. This came as a shock to those who were aware of his intentions, as he had previously announced his ambitions to run for the presidency in 2022, following an unsuccessful bid in 2020. His personal attorney, Bruce Marks, confirmed this decision, stating, “He’s not a candidate for office in 2024.”
Kanye West, also known by his legal name Ye, made headlines in 2020 when he announced his candidacy for the US presidential election as an independent candidate representing the ‘BDY’ Party. Although his campaign garnered attention, he only managed to secure approximately 60,000 votes across 12 states where he was on the ballot.
Speculation had arisen about Kanye’s potential entry into the political arena once again after his 2024 presidential bid announcement. However, a source close to Kanye’s 2020 committee revealed that there were no concrete plans for a 2024 campaign. The source emphasized that there was no campaign structure or any preparations in place, making the chances of a YE24 bid “beyond remote.”
The Federal Election Commission filing from Kanye’s political committee, Kanye 2020, further supported the notion that he was not pursuing a presidential bid. The filing reportedly provided evidence of the decision not to continue with a presidential campaign. Additionally, the committee’s current financial status indicated that they had less than $25,000 on hand, raising questions about their readiness for another political endeavor.
One of the main reasons behind Kanye West’s decision to step away from politics may be his focus on other aspects of his life. In April, filmmaker Adam Camacho, who had been working on a documentary for Kanye since November 2022, shed light on this. According to Camacho, Kanye expressed a desire to concentrate on his family, including his new wife, children, and the Donda Academy, a school he founded. Kanye stated, “Right now, I am living my life – like I’m concentrating on the school, The Donda Academy, and my new wife, and my kids, and that’s it.”
This sentiment was echoed by an anonymous employee from Kanye’s company, who emphasized that Kanye’s interests were primarily focused on his family and creative endeavors. The employee asserted that anyone representing Kanye in a political capacity did not truly align with his priorities, stating, “There is no political shop.”
Kanye’s venture into politics began to take shape before his 2020 presidential bid. In 2018, he had a widely publicized meeting with then-President Donald Trump at the White House. During this meeting, Kanye discussed various issues, including the 13th Amendment and U.S. manufacturing. Wearing a red ‘Make America Great Again’ hat, Kanye complimented Trump and expressed his admiration for the president.
At the Oval Office meeting, Trump was asked whether he believed Kanye could become a future presidential candidate. Trump responded, “could very well be.” Kanye chimed in, saying, “Only after 2024,” and added, “Let’s stop worrying about the future; all we really have is today.”
While Kanye West’s presidential ambitions have taken a backseat for now, his influence on the intersection of entertainment and politics is undeniable. His decision to abandon the 2024 presidential bid reflects a shift in priorities towards family and creative pursuits. As Kanye continues to evolve and explore various endeavors, the world will undoubtedly be watching his next steps closely.
