Rapper Kanye West held his first presidential campaign event in North Charleston, South Carolina, on Sunday.
A remark made by West about Harriet Tubman, an American abolitionist and conductor of the Underground Railroad, during his campaign event was met with opposition.
“Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people,” West claimed during the event.
Following West’s remark, there were groans and one person could be heard saying, “Come on man.”
See Kanye’s comments below:
Kanye West at his “campaign rally” in South Carolina: “Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves, she just had them work for other white people.”
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 19, 2020
Loud groans from the audience, “come on man” can be heard pic.twitter.com/Q9g92UvZ27
West’s comment was also met with opposition on social media, including from rapper 50 Cent.
See some of the reactions below:
? what the F**k did he just say. This is all Jay Z fault, Kanye’s first Rally. LOL #bransoncognac #lecheminduroi pic.twitter.com/q2I0dNAzYU
— 50cent (@50cent) July 19, 2020
Kanye West needs serious help, not media coverage.
— Meghan McCain (@MeghanMcCain) July 20, 2020
#Hero
— QTip (@QtipTheAbstract) July 19, 2020? pic.twitter.com/rtkyKhmD8w
I just hope Kanye is ok. I don’t really know what else to say here
— JPEGMAFIA (@darkskinmanson) July 19, 2020
West also spoke about abortion during the campaign rally, where he mentioned that he wanted his wife to have an abortion for their first child. He also said his father wanted him to be aborted.
“My Mom saved my life. My Dad wanted to abort me… There would have been no Kanye West because my dad was too busy,” West said.
After tears welled up and drawing applause from the audience, West said, “I almost killed my daughter.”
While West believes abortions should be legal, he thinks there should be incentives for mothers to not have an abortion.
He suggested an idea, “Everybody that has a baby gets a million dollars.”
Kanye West gets emotional while speaking about abortion in South Carolina:
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) July 19, 2020
"My Mom saved my life. My Dad wanted to abort me… There would have been no Kanye West."
"I almost killed my daughter." pic.twitter.com/jiGuODxAno
See the full events below:
https://www.facebook.com/live5news/videos/973145836480519/
West’s remarks came as he kicked off his presidential campaign.
Though he previously expressed his support for President Donald Trump, West said recently during a Forbes magazine interview, “I am taking the red hat off, with this interview.”
“I would run as a Republican if Trump wasn’t there. I will run as an independent if Trump is there,” West also said.
Trump has weighed in on West’s presidential bid, previously saying, “Well, I like his voice being heard but he’s always going to be for us … and his wife is going to be for us.”
