Sunday evening, Kanye West took the VMA stage and announced to everyone in the free world that he — the almighty Yeezus — would be running for president in 2020.
Given who we currently have running for the 2016 race, instead of dismissing it as a joke, people both in the audience (and on social media) collectively gasped and did their best to discern if this declaration was fact or fiction.
Whether the rapper/designer really does have his sights on the Oval Office remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: ‘Ye’s antics sent the Twittersphere into a frenzy for the rest of the night.
First off, the fact that he showed up high — on life — should’ve been a red flag. In the clip below, John Legend is doing his best to look like he’s down with it, but note how he fidgets and never makes eye contact. That’s because he’s probably panicking on the inside. If you were at the VMAs with a “turnt up” Kanye, you would be too.
https://twitter.com/SOMEXlCAN/status/638196098805444608
https://twitter.com/leovmello_/status/638184021122547713
But once ‘Ye announced “I have decided in 2020 to run for president,” the Internet was on it!
https://twitter.com/kanyeIife/status/638202360158883840
https://twitter.com/zekNcashe/status/638181745716670464
I think Kanye decided to run for president half way through that speech cause he inspired himself so much
— bay blade (@bayhubacher) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/DukeOfZamunda/status/638180582816616448/photo/1
Twitter is 100% ready for a Kanye West presidency. http://t.co/DqXejXEept pic.twitter.com/yWPWJE9h2u
— The FADER (@thefader) August 31, 2015
"And yes, I have decided in 2020 to run for President." ~ @kanyewest ::drops mic:: #VMAs pic.twitter.com/YyasyjLjGt
— VIBE Magazine (@VibeMagazine) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/goldietaylor/status/638182497940074496
But how can you be in the illuminati and be president and be Kanye and be in the Kardashian family? No one man should have all that power…
— RAVEN ELYSE (@RavenElyseTV) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/AniCaribbean/status/638213341660364800
Only Jayden Smith could understand that Kanye West award speech
— I had to Zip up My Knigga Suit Once in While (@Deion_Slanders) August 31, 2015
Kanye For President.
— Jaden (@jaden) August 31, 2015
.@kanyewest, let me know when you're assembling your policy team.
— deray (@deray) August 31, 2015
Kanye is so cute, y'all.
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/PrezidentYeezy/status/638204218696966144
If Kanye runs for president in 2020, does that mean Kim will be Thirst Lady? I'll see myself out
— Justin Fenton (@justin_fenton) August 31, 2015
"As First Lady, I will put all the skills I learned as a Famous Person to good use…" #VMAs #Kanye pic.twitter.com/Swi8bliSSw
— TrivWorks (@TrivWorks) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/Nancy_Colorado/status/638203811581030400
https://twitter.com/PrezidentYeezy/status/638198878320361472
.@kanyewest It's ok Kanye. @WakaFlocka's got this. #WakaForPresident pic.twitter.com/zRk3iTmqsL
— ThugLifeSocial🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️ (@ThugLifeSocial) August 31, 2015
Kanye West as President, Kim Kardashian as the First Lady. pic.twitter.com/tPh1SBt3Dz
— Beysus † Godga (@gagalovesbey) August 31, 2015
In a President @KanyeWest administration, Shug Knight will be the head of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) #VMA2015 #KanyeForPresident
— rolandsmartin (@rolandsmartin) August 31, 2015
As many noted — Yeezy is too old to ever use “we” and “millennial” in the same sentence again.
https://twitter.com/sailornegro/status/638213258009276416
No shade, but if he is in late 30s, is Kanye West a millennial? #VMAs
— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONY) August 31, 2015
https://twitter.com/RelatableQuote/status/638188988394811392
https://twitter.com/goldietaylor/status/638183527876591616
https://twitter.com/AtEaze808/status/638195968748326912
Eventually, all the excitement got to our future commander in chief, and he went night night.
Goodnight Kanye (Vine by wow billy stop) https://t.co/YvnSAHoX5T
— Cassie (@xcassafrasx) August 31, 2015