Despite Josh Earnest's policy of not commenting on presidential candidates - or potential presidential candidates - the White House press secretary broke that rule after rapper Kanye West announced at the MTV Video Music Awards Sunday that he's decided to run for president in 2020,
On Politics reports.
"Let me just say I look forward to seeing what slogan he chooses to embroider on his campaign hat," Earnest told reporters aboard Air Force One Monday.
While on stage accepting the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award, West said, "I don't know what I stand to lose after this. It don't matter though, because it ain't about me. It's about ideas, bro. New ideas. People with ideas. People who believe in truth," he said. "And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president."
On Politics notes that President Obama and West have mutual respect for one another and maintain a friendship.
"I met Kanye twice. The first time was when I was a senator and he was with his mom and he had just gotten big," Obama said. "And then about six months ago he came to an event. I love his music."
West, however, claims that Obama calls his house to talk, but Obama announced on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" that this isn't true and said, "I don't think I've got his home number."
After Obama's revelation to Kimmel, West defended himself by saying, "He called our house before. He knows that. Don't try to pit us against each other."
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