In an emotional speech on Sunday, Kanye West broke down in tears while delivering a pro-life message, saying he "almost killed" his daughter North West.
The video: West held the first rally for his independent presidential campaign in North Charleston, South Carolina, in front of an audience of hundreds.
Kanye West crying on stage at his campaign event in South Carolina pic.twitter.com/GsHAnZQG1c
— STRAPPED | Hip-Hop/Rap Updates (@STRAPPEDUS) July 19, 2020
The rapper spoke about how his late mother, Donda West, and his wife, Kim Kardashian West, refused to have abortions.
- "My mom saved my life. My dad wanted to abort me," West said.
- "My mom saved my life, there would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy."
- "I almost killed my daughter. I almost killed my daughter," he added.
The reaction: West's comments set off a flurry of commentary from across the political spectrum.
Some liberals criticized his pro-life statements and claimed he was displaying symptoms of mental illness.
Preston Mitchum, an activist for LGBT and abortion rights, said West was "in love with white supremacy and capitalism" and that "we need to be done with him."
Kanye does NOT have a point.
— Preston Mitchum (@PrestonMitchum) July 20, 2020
Kanye will NOT have a point.
Kanye is an attention-seeking asshat who is in love with white supremacy and capitalism.
And we need to be done with him.
But others, especially conservatives, praised West for what they perceived as his willingness to counter liberal orthodoxy.
British rapper Zuby said West was speaking "uncomfortable truths."
Everytime Kanye West says some REAL stuff that goes against the prescribed orthodoxy, they say he is 'insane'...
— ZUBY: (@ZubyMusic) July 20, 2020
It's easier to dismiss him as 'crazy' than deal with the gravity of his words.
Sometimes he is off, but he speaks a lot of uncomfortable truths.
West announced his presidential campaign on Twitter on July 4 and registered with the Federal Election Commission on Thursday under his recently announced Birthday Party.
- He made headlines last month for donating $2 million to the families of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
