Kanye West's first campaign event in South Carolina

On July 19, Sunday evening, Kanye West held his first campaign in North Charleston, South Carolina, the day before the Deadline to file signatures as an independent candidate.

Kanye West
Getty Images/Michael Loccisano


West appeared after 5pm at the Exquis Event Center rally with "2020" shaved on his head. Wearing a bulletproof vest, West stood in front of the American flag and went into an impromptu stream on Tubman. For West's "Birthday Party" Presidential candidacy, he didn't have policy matters revealed yet, but he made waves with comments on underground railroad hero Harriet Tubman.

"Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slave, she just had the slaves go work for other white people," Kanye West said.

According to Deadline, the event was held at the Exquis Center in North Charleston. The event was for registered guests only. The attendees were asked to have a COVID-19 liability release form, wear masks, and follow social distancing. For filing as independent presidential candidate, South Carolina Election rules require signatures from people within the state until noon time of July 20. Write-in candidates are not allowed by the rules.

ABC News reported that South Carolina requires 10,000 signatures for cantidate to get on the presidential ballot as an independent. The state's deadline was moved back from last Wednesday to Monday, July 20, due to COVID-19 pandemic.

Per Deadline, West got Oklahoma in November ballot by paying a $35,000 fee. However, Ye faces an uphill battle as the filing deadlines for candidates have not yet passed. The next Deadline is on August 3.

Read also: Kanye West is officially a candidate for president

Kanye talked about abortion and benefits of those with babies

Kanye West revealed his presidential campaign in a South Carolina event including the idea that every person with a baby will get a million dollars and said that "marijuana should be free," as per ABC News.

A couple of young women were invited to speak about issues that concern them, such as education inequality and police brutality. Ye then spoke of a wide range of topics. The rapper broke into tears when he talked about his father's decision in the past to abort him, and when Kim Kardashian became pregnant with their first baby at the time West didn't want to have one.

Kanye West, who has four children with Kim Kardashian, said that he almost killed his daughter. "I love my daughter. ... God wants us to create," West added.

Ye clarified that he thinks abortion must be legal, but there should be more support for those who need it. Then, West added that there should be a maximum increase in benefits for people with a baby; they should get a million dollars (or something in that range).

The "Famous" singer also said that marijuana "should be free." He took questions from the audience before the event ended.

Read also: Does Kanye West suffer from bipolar disorder?

West asked for the support of his followers

The day before the first campaign of Kanye West, West tweeted for supporters to sign up to put West on the ballot in South Carolina.

A source who knows the details of West's presidential bid told the ABS News that Ye's campaign is now working to gather signatures in multiple states and that it is now "maturing and growing." The source then added that there would be several more campaign events they will announce, including one in New York.

Tags
Kanye West, Election
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