The Brief: Kanye West has been the subject of controversy and criticism after comments he made about Trump, race, and the 13th Amendment.

DEEP DIVE
Instead of dropping his album Yandhi, as he had previously announced, Kanye West (also known as ye) has been in the spotlight for controversial comments he made about president Trump, race in America, and the 13th Amendment.
SNL MAGA Rant
After appearing as the musical guest on SNL on September 29, Kanye donned his MAGA hat and gave a pro-Trump speech. This was not televised because it occurred after the show had ended. Several people recorded the speech, including comedian Chris Rock who posted it to his Instagram story.
ye said that people “bullied” him backstage when he put on his MAGA hat. On his support of Trump, he said “so many times I talk to a white person about this and [they] say, ‘How could you like Trump he’s racist?’ Well, if I was concerned about racism I would’ve moved out of America a long time ago.” West also spoke about the power of love.
What you didn’t see pic.twitter.com/rsXwdZ1e7I
— kingricardo_ (@kingricardo_) September 30, 2018
In an interview on Late Night With Seth Meyers, SNL cast member Keenan Thompson talked about this “Kanye-led circus” and how West called the cast on stage to stand next to him while giving this opinionated political speech.
President Trump criticized SNL overall, but praised Kanye in a tweet the next day.
Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) – no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told “no”), was great. He’s leading the charge!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2018
13th Amendment
On September 30, Kanye posted a controversial Tweet in which he posted a picture of his MAGA hat and called to “abolish the 13th amendment.” The next day in a TMZ interview, he clarified his comment. He explained that he misspoke and meant to say “amend” the 13th amendment. The 13th amendment ended slavery, except as a punishment for a crime. West did not mean to condone slavery, but to say that prisons are a form of modern day slavery that disproportionately affects African Americans.
this represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with love pic.twitter.com/a15WqI8zgu
— ye (@kanyewest) September 30, 2018
Although ye seems to be losing the support of more liberal celebrities and individuals, some Trump supporters have rushed to his support.