Kanye West says he’s “definitely” still thinking about running for president in 2020, but he’s “got a lot of growing up to do” before any White House bid.
{mosads}“Wow, I’ve got five years before I go and run for office and I’ve got a lot of research to do, I’ve got a lot of growing up to do,” the “Yeezus” rapper said in a “Vanity Fair” interview published Thursday.
West, who’s married to reality television star Kim Kardashian, announced his political ambitions during an acceptance speech at last month’s MTV Video Music Awards, saying, “I have decided in 2020 to run for president.”
The outspoken entertainer and clothing designer tells “Vanity Fair” he might have expected more pushback after stating his intentions. “Especially from the six years of this misconception or the six years I went through of ‘We don’t like Kanye.’ And then as soon as I said that, it was like, ‘Wait a second, we would really be into that, because actually if you think about it, he’s extremely thoughtful,’” said West.
He added, speaking about himself, “’Every time he’s ever gotten in trouble, he was really jumping in front of a bullet for someone else. He’s probably the most honest celebrity that we have.’”
West, 38, said he grew up in a politically active family. “When I was a child, I was holding my mom’s hand at Operation PUSH.
“I think it’s time,” added West. “Rap is great. It’s fun to be a rock star, and I’ll never not be one I guess, but there’ll be a point where I become my mother’s child.
“With all the things I’ve done that people would consider to be accomplishments, what’s the point where I become the person that Donda and Raymond West raised? My parents’ child.”