Kanye West is constantly able to set the internet ablaze with a single tweet, and today is no exception.
Just a couple of hours ago, he tweeted this:
My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
“My eyes are now wide open and now realize I’ve been used to spread messages I don’t believe in. I am distancing myself from politics and completely focusing on being creative !!!”
Given the “I’m distancing myself from politics” line, many are assuming he’s talking about his recent (and vocal) support of Donald Trump. That and his tweet about how he didn’t want to be associated with the ‘Blexit’ clothing line.
I introduced Candace to the person who made the logo and they didn’t want their name on it so she used mine. I never wanted any association with Blexit. I have nothing to do with it.
— ye (@kanyewest) October 30, 2018
(‘Blexit’ is a clothing line released by right-wing pundit Candace Owens, referring to her desire to see black people quit the Democratic Party. It’s a play on ‘Brexit’, obv)
So what’s made him change his mind? The people of the internet have theories.
I think this is the only reason Ye posted this. It’s not about apologizing, making amends or admitting guilt, it’s because his sneakers bombed this week and he’s realizing that he’s losing money and hurting his clothing brand. Smdh… I miss the old Kanye. pic.twitter.com/GKBO06njdv
— Jason Pollock (@Jason_Pollock) October 30, 2018
I think Kanye felt used by Candace and TPUSA. Not by President Trump. I seen the transformation of Candace from liberal, to fierce conservative to establishment conservative very quick. She’s Fox News creature now. Life Comes at you Really Fast.
— Jonathan R (@JonaR029) October 30, 2018
Frankly, he was being used. Republicans are often desperate to appeal to young voters, particularly young black voters, since black people overwhelmingly vote for the Democratic Party – according to the Public Policy Institute of California, 77% of black voters are registered Democrats.
They obviously thought that if they could use an already incredibly famous musician to appeal to that demographic, that would be a definite win for them. I guess they didn’t factor in people responding to Kanye’s embrace of conservatism by turning away from Kanye entirely.
That’s not to say he was completely unaware of his actions, though; he seemed perfectly happy to meet with Trump and sing his praises on Saturday Night Live. The cynic in me suspects that this is indeed a reaction to poor sales.
If that is the case, I don’t know why Kanye is assuming that the poor sales of his latest shoes are a result of his antics, and not a natural consequence of designing an incredibly ugly product and charging $300 for it.
almost every size still sitting. yikes. ??? pic.twitter.com/51xejeuwst
— skylar bergl (@skylarbergl) October 30, 2018
It remains to be seen whether he will actually distance himself from politics or not. Kanye isn’t known for keeping quiet, so I’m not holding my breath, but it would be nice to be able to go one day without being inundated with headlines announcing his most recent ignorant comment.