It would be a mistake to ignore Kanye West as a serious candidate after Donald Trump's 2016 victory. Here's who West could tap for cabinet positions.
Whether he runs for the finish line this time around or next, "Ye" would likely appoint an eclectic group to his presidential cabinet. | Source: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Kanye West stunned the world with his July 4th announcement that he would run for president in 2020. It shouldn’t have been a surprise. The billionaire rapper and fashion mogul has been conspicuously angling for the Oval Office for years.
Ignore West as a serious presidential candidate at your peril. It would be the same fumble pundits made by discounting Donald Trump right up to Election Day 2016.
Admittedly, Kanye is late to the party this year. He will have to generate enough support for a tireless and urgent ground game.
He could still petition for ballot access in several critical states like California and Florida. His campaign must act quickly to begin collecting the hundreds of thousands of necessary signatures.
Unfortunately, he’s missed filing deadlines to be on the ballot as an independent candidate in six states. That includes the big electoral college states of Texas and New York, where he’ll have to wage a write-in campaign.
This suggests he may be dipping his toe in the presidential waters to warm up for a more organized campaign in 2024. Donald Trump did the same in 2012. That set him up for his 2016 ascension to power.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian may be playing the long game. They’re successfully building a broad political coalition for a genuine White House bid. In 2024, West would even be able to jump into a major party primary.
Whether he runs for the finish line this time around or next, “Ye” would likely appoint an eclectic group to his presidential cabinet. The rapper has a strong affinity for President Donald Trump that has left many puzzled. He’s called Trump “my brother” and says they’re both “dragon energy.”
Here’s the dragon energy that could run the White House if Kanye West ever does become president.
Don’t expect a cabinet stuffed with Hollywood and music industry celebrities. The White House chief of staff is the only cabinet-level position that doesn’t require a Senate confirmation. Kanye West could tap his long-time friend and mentor Jay-Z for this role.
Given his ties to the Trump administration, West would likely appoint strong candidates from the Trump camp to cabinet positions that do require confirmation.
Outspoken Trump ally Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) has enjoyed a close relationship with the president. He’s bent Trump’s ear on foreign policy where defense establishment wonks like John Bolton have failed. If Kanye seeks out Trump’s advice, Paul’s name could easily come up.
The Donald isn’t West’s only role model for a president. He said in a 2018 Charlemagne interview that he would run for president with “Bernie Sanders principles.”
He could give Bernie a nod by appointing Sanders supporter (and Iraq combat veteran) Rep. Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI) as Secretary of Defense. She would align well with Kanye’s antiwar foreign policy.
Conservative radio host, onetime Federal Reserve branch chairman, and former Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain could pop up again if Kanye West makes it to Washington.
In the 2012 GOP primary, Cain was the proto-Trump candidate. Like Kanye, he made headlines for his many bizarre statements. He’s perfect fodder for viral memes.
Elon Musk didn’t hesitate to endorse Kanye West after his announcement Saturday. The billionaire engineer and businessman has had strong words of praise for the rapper in the past.
If Kanye asks for Musk’s advice, he might pitch Peter Thiel for Attorney General. A law school graduate who clerked for a U.S. circuit court, Thiel’s legal background would serve him well in this role.
On second thought, maybe he’s a better choice to head the Department of Homeland Security. Thiel’s secretive data company, Palantir, has scored massive law enforcement and defense contracts.
Those are a few high-profile names you shouldn’t be surprised to find in a Yeezy White House, but what about on the ticket? Here’s who Kanye West might tap for his running mate.
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of CCN.com.
Last modified: September 23, 2020 2:02 PM
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