Rapper Kanye West has once again announced that he intends to run for President of the United States.
The 43-year-old recording artist revealed the big announcement in a tweet, writing:
"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! #2020VISION"
West's wife Kim Kardashian West and Tesla founder Elon Musk have both endorsed Kanye for the presidency.
It is unlikely that the multi-award-winning rapper will be able to mount any serious challenge, with the deadline for registration in the 2020 election having already passed in several states. He would have to either seek out support from a smaller party or attempt to run as an independent - neither of which is likely to result in him affecting the large support bases of President Donald Trump or Democratic challenger Joe Biden.
Mr West has become an outspoken supporter of Trump in recent years. In 2018, he made a famous appearance with the President in the Oval Office, even donning one of Trump's signature 'Make America Great Again' hats.
"I love this guy right here," he told Trump at the time, embracing him in front of the cameras.
When reporters asked Trump if Kanye could make a good candidate for president, he replied: "Could very well be."
At the time, Kanye insisted that he wouldn't challenge Trump's bid for re-election, saying in response: "Only after him. It’ll be 2024."
This is not the first time Kanye has floated the idea of running for the highest political office in the US. At the 2015 MTV awards, he said he would make a run in 2020, though in November last year he pushed that back to 2024, noting famously: "we would have created so many jobs that I'm not gonna run, I'm gonna walk." Kanye, who has spoken openly about his faith in recent years, said he would consider changing his name to "Christian Genius Billionaire Kanye West" for the ballot.
Last year, West released a gospel album titled 'Jesus is King' and has spoken candidly about rediscovering his Christian faith. At a listening party for his new record in October last year, he told the crowd:
"I want to let you know that I am not here for your entertainment this afternoon. We are here to spread the gospel. I am a recent convert. It means I recently got saved within this year."
In an appearance with talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, West added: "God has called me and I now have given my life to Jesus Christ and I work for God."
"Would you consider yourself to be a Christian music artist now?” Kimmel responded.
“I’m just a Christian everything,” West replied. “Everything.”
Kanye does not yet appear to have registered his name with the Federal Election Commission (FEC), which is the first port of call for anyone looking to launch a presidential bid.
