As if things could not get any weirder, Donald Trump took to Twitter Friday to personally thank Chance the Rapper, who this week defended Kanye West's Trump-love and wrote that "black people don't have to be democrats," as one of the people who "really get it."
Chance retweeted Trump's thanks with the comment "nah that aint it yo," followed by a longer, apologetic message that concluded, "We have to talk honestly about what is happening and has been happening in this country and we have to challenge those who are responsible, as well as those who are giving them a pass. If that happens to include someone I love, someone who is my brother-in-Christ and someone who I believe does really want to do what is right, it's not my job to defend or protect him. It's my job pick up the phone and talk to him about it."
Chance said he came to Kanye's aid because he's "family" and "I wanted to help my friend and cause I felt like I was being used to attack him." He confessed his "black people don't have to be democrats" comment was said "at the wrongest time" and "was a deflection from the real conversation." Chance also asked that we let his apology "be seen in my future works, and let me make up for my poorly timed comments with immediate action and advocacy for those who need it most," and was very clear about his personal feelings on Trump:
"I'd never support anyone who has made a career out of hatred, racism, and discrimination. I'd never support someone who'd talk about Chicago as if it's hell on earth and then take steps to make life harder here for the most disenfranchised among us."
This week, Kanye has thrown his Twitter support behind the president, showing off a signed Make America Great Again hat and tweeting about their friendship. The backlash caused Kanye to hit back at friends and "thought police" alike.
Donald Trump Jr. also thanked Chance this week, retweeting his "black people don't have to be democrats" tweet and saying, "It’s always incredible to watch a cultural shift happen in real time. I respect those willing to take the lead breaking with convention. That takes guts... though there’s a better word for it," followed by two basketball emojis because Donald Trump Jr.
