When Kanye West Ran For President?
/
When Kanye West declared in 2020 that he was running for president, everyone in the beginning figured it was one of those tweets that would blow over in an hour. It was one of those tweets that seemed so outlandish. But then it became serious. He really did drop papers at the Federal Election Commission, held an actual campaign rally, and appeared on ballots in multiple states. Suddenly, it was no longer a meme—it was an official campaign for president, just an eccentric one.
Whether you found it courageous, strange, or possibly both, Kanye’s bid for political office got people talking, and the internet has yet to let the subject drop.
Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago
Business Number: (224) 214-0145
Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com
Business Address: Chicago, IL
Kanye West Made His Presidential Run Official In July 2020 And Actually Got Thousands Of Real Votes
He announced for president on July 4th of 2020 in classic Kanye fashion—suddenly revealing big news without hype. He followed through by actually filling out official FEC paperwork in the "Birthday Party" (literally, its real name). He got himself added to the ballot in 12 states, including such locations as Utah, Oklahoma, and Colorado.
Altogether, Kanye West garnered 66,365 votes in the 2020 election. That may seem insignificant in relation to millions of ballots counted, but for an independent candidate who has never run for political office and who came in late, that’s sort of amazing. Based on Federal Election Commission records, Kanye spent nearly $13.2 million of his own funds on his campaign. That’s greater than some career politicians had brought in for an entire year.
The Campaign Was Full Of Wild Moments But It Still Pulled In Attention From Real Voters And The Media
The campaign of Kanye was unorthodox. He appeared at his initial rally in South Carolina in a body vest for protection against bullets, wept hysterically onstage, and discussed intimate issues which were a surprise to millions. It was raw, emotional, and completely unscripted, which was just what was in store for Kanye. Some were in his corner at any cost, some were perplexed and concerned for his state of mind at this point.
But it was featured in the news. A whole lot. As in seen in Google News, news of Kanye's related politics reached its crescendo in July-November 2020, usually in anticipation of days of upcoming filing periods and public remarks. #Kanye2020 trended in tweets multiple times in said summer and fall, even stealing eyes from genuine Joe Biden-Donald Trump debates at times.
Business Name: Sparkly Maid Chicago
Business Number: (224) 214-0145
Business Email: support@sparklymaid.com
Business Address: Chicago, IL
Data Shows Kanye Had The Most Support From Younger Voters Who Liked Him As A Musician More Than A Politician
The majority of support for Kanye came from young voters, and primarily from Millennials and Gen Z, who were already familiar with his music. In an October 2020 YouGov poll, 9% of under-30-year-old-voters reported they were at least considering voting for Kanye. Not because they believed he would get elected, but because they were disillusioned by the other candidates or simply wished to make a statement.
On TikTok, videos marked #Kanye2020 garnered more than 60 million views by election week. Some were humorous, some were speech edits, and many were earnest fans expressing they stood by him regardless. It was not only politics anymore—it became a moment in culture that blended celebrity and democracy in an entirely new way.
Even After The Election, Kanye Said He Wasn’t Done With Politics And Might Try Again In The Future
He formally conceded on November 4, 2020, one day after Election Day, but he didn't quite give up. He uploaded a picture of himself captioned “Kanye 2024,” already hinting at another run. In 2022, he submitted paperwork again hinting at possibly attempting to be included in the next presidential election.
Regardless of whether or not he follows through again, the 2020 run left its mark. It demonstrated that an artist with immense popularity can shake up politics without party backing and conventional organization. Love him or hate him, people have not forgotten Kanye’s campaign. It was not polished and professional, but memorable.
