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Rapper Kanye West told the crowd at a concert in California Thursday that he did not vote in the presidential election. But he told them that if he had, he would have voted for Donald Trump.
West reportedly continued to talk for 40 minutes about his reasons for preferring Trump. The crowd, expecting to hear songs instead of a political speech, booed him. Some even threw shoes.
"I would have voted for Trump." - Kanye West pic.twitter.com/g9qxaT7aRc
— billy (@billycrossover) November 18, 2016
The majority of voters in California preferred Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton in the presidential race.
On Friday, people reacted on social media to the singer’s comments. “Kanye” became the most popular topic on Twitter.
Many of the concert-goers posted live updates on Twitter of West’s unexpected speech. One person wrote that West told the crowd, “The internet is going to take this out of context.”
Kanye: "The internet is going to take this out of context"Now playing That Part
— Raptor (@RaptorJesuss) November 18, 2016
By that, he means people may misunderstand his comments.
Another Twitter user said he was surprised to hear West did not vote in the election. He thought the outspoken performer would have written in his own name on the ballot.
the only reason i%27m shocked kanye voted for trump is because i assumed kanye wrote in kanye on his ballot
— Greg Mania (@gregmania) November 18, 2016
West did not say Thursday whether he agreed with Trump’s political ideas. But he did talk about some of the things he believes are wrong with the country.
He said he believes African Americans should “stop focusing on racism. This world is racist, OK? Stop being distracted …”
West also said he thought the next four years would prepare him to run for president in 2020.
Kanye just said he thinks he%27ll have the experience in 2020 to run for office, I%27m dead serious, Kanye just said he%27s preparing for 2020.
— Raptor (@RaptorJesuss) November 18, 2016
Some social media users said they missed how Kanye West acted back in 2005. That year, during a fundraising event for the victims of Hurricane Katrina, West criticized President George W. Bush’s response to the storm. He said on live television, “George Bush doesn’t care about black people.”
I miss the old Kanye, mouth wired shut Kanye, George Bush doesn%27t care about black people Kanye, the non-sellout Kanye, I used to love Kanye
— Rashad Alaiyan (@rashadalaiyan) November 18, 2016
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I’m Dan Friedell.
Dan Friedell wrote this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor.
What do you think about Kanye West’s comments? We want to hear from you. Write to us in the Comments Section or on our Facebook page.
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Words in This Story
context – n. the words that are used with a certain word or phrase and that help to explain its meaning
appreciate –v. to understand the worth or importance of (something or someone)
interpret – v. to understand (something) in a specified way
outspoken – adj. talking in a free and honest way about your opinions
distract – adj. unable to think about or pay attention to something : unable to concentrate
concert – n. a public performance of music