LOS ANGELES // Mercurial rapper Kanye West used the MTV Video Music Awards on Monday morning to announce a run for the White House in 2020 after winning a career achievement award.
Cheered by his biggest fan, pregnant wife and reality star Kim Kardashian, he was greeted by an extended standing ovation.
“I have decided in 2020 to run for president,” he bellowed into the microphone at the end of a rambling address.
“I will die for the art, for what I believe in and I ain’t always gonna be polite,” he said.
“This is a new mentality, we’re not going to control our kids with brands. We’re not going to teach low self-esteem and hate to our kids. We’re gonna teach our kids that they can be something,” he said.
MTV’s Video Vanguard lifetime achievement award has previously been given to artists including Madonna, Michael Jackson and Beyonce.
“Trump you have my vote but now Kanye West,” shouted shock pop diva Miley Cyrus, the host of Sunday’s night show.
The 38-year-old boundary-pushing rapper also won best Video With a Social Message for “One Man Can Change the World” with Big Sean and John Legend.
* Agence France-Presse