Rapper 50 Cent has suggested that Kanye West’s presidential campaign is merely a diversion.
On 4 July, West announced his candidacy, tweeting: “We must now realise the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for President of the United States.”
Speaking to Billboard, 50 mocked his fellow musician, saying: “I’m going to contemplate running myself. I’m going to run to create a diversion for someone else. The new thing is to run to create a diversion and distract people.”
Referencing a report by Forbesthat claimed Yeezy, West’s company, received $2m from Trump’s Paycheck Protection Program, he continued: “Would you run against someone who just gave you $2 million?”
Despite West claiming that he’s no longer a Trump supporter after announcing his candidacy, 50 claimed that the “Ultralight Beam” rapper had been forced to back down due to the “climate” of racial injustice, asking: “How would you keep it without creating a storm of s*** for yourself?
“Remember, the last president called you a jacka**,” he continued, referencing comments made by Barack Obama in 2009. “Maybe that’s why you embrace this one.”
The Independent has approached West’s representatives for comment.
50’s comments come as reports emerge suggesting that West has dropped out of the presidential race.
On Tuesday (14 July), a member of his campaign team alleged that West will no longer be contesting the election after failing to collect the 132,781 signatures needed by Wednesday (15 July) to stand in Florida.
