The Brief: Kanye West and Donald Trump met in the oval office, sparking mixed reactions online.
DEEP DIVE
Kanye West, who wore his MAGA hat, spoke in front of supporters to Trump about topics including prison reform, the 13th amendment, the auto industry, partisan politics, and his own personal philosophy.
Kanye criticized stop and frisk, asked for tax breaks for American manufacturing, and asserted that illegal guns are a significant source of gun violence.
After West spoke, Trump said “I tell you what — that was pretty impressive” and “That was quite something.”
At the end of the meeting, West told Trump “I love you” and gave him a hug.
In reaction to this meeting, Trump supporters have mostly praised both West and the president. Trump and Kanye critics have been vocal as well, especially on Black Twitter. Some people have expressed concern in regards to West’s mental health. The meeting has inspired an array of comical and political internet memes.
if you need permission from a black person to call kanye dumb, consider this your blessing.
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) October 11, 2018
Kanye West is EXACTLY how people who benefit from the system of white supremacy like to see Black men. Groveling, buck dancing, confused, incoherent, and subservient
— Tariq Nasheed 🇺🇸 (@tariqnasheed) October 11, 2018
Kanye West is in desperate need of medical intervention. Not sure why anyone is trying to pretend otherwise.
— Molly Knight (@molly_knight) October 11, 2018
Kanye: “The MAGA hat makes me feel like Superman!”
Superman: pic.twitter.com/iSCy65K6ZB
— Josiah Johnson (@KingJosiah54) October 11, 2018
I want to officially go on the record to say KANYE WEST does NOT SPEAK FOR ME or my son or my 4 grandsons or my great grandson or my father who was refused VA benefits or grandmother who cleaned houses and scrubbed toilets. I pray he does not get choked on his superman cape
— Iyanla Vanzant (@IyanlaVanzant) October 11, 2018
Let’s all move on from Kanye. He is a distraction. Republicans are cutting voter registration around the country and closing polling places… we need to focus! #WokeAF
— DanielleMoodie-Mills (@DeeTwoCents) October 11, 2018