Kanye West 'met with Jared Kushner in Colorado' as rapper eyes election spot

The singer announced his last-minute presidential campaign last month
Getty Images
Imogen Braddick12 August 2020

Kanye West held a private meeting with Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner as the rapper continues to pursue his efforts to appear on the presidential ballot in November.

The meeting took place in Colorado last weekend and also included President Trump's daughter Ivanka, Mr Kushner's wife and another top White House adviser, The New York Times reports.

Mr West, 43, appeared to confirm the meeting in a tweet late on Tuesday night, saying they discussed a book on empowering Black Americans, and offering to do a live interview with the Times.

The singer announced his last-minute presidential campaign last month, followed by a series of rambling public remarks which have raised questions about his intentions and his mental health.

Mr West has been open about his struggle with bipolar disorder, and his wife, Kim Kardashian-West has asked the public and media to grant him compassion.

His appearance as an independent on the ballot could possibly disrupt the race between Mr Trump and former Democratic Vice President Joe Biden if he were able to garner any votes in US states where the contest is close.

Mr West, one of the biggest celebrity and most prominent black supporters of the president, met with Mr Trump during the 2016 presidential race and again in 2018 at the White House wearing a red "Make America Great" cap.

Last month, he told Forbes that he was "taking the red hat off."

White House senior advisor Jared Kushner
REUTERS

Mr Trump told Fox News last month that West "can't" drop his support, adding: "He's always going to be for us."

Mr West announced his presidential run on July 4 – American Independence Day.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West
REUTERS

"We must now realise the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future," he wrote.

"I am running for president of the United States! #2020VISION."

Mr West’s wife of six years, social media and reality TV star Kim, endorsed the announcement by retweeting the news to her 65.7 million followers.

Other high-profile supporters include billionaire technology entrepreneur Elon Musk, who replied to the tweet saying West had “his full support".