Is Kanye's upcoming trip to Israel a ploy to boost his presidential profile?
Will West present his Middle East policy on his upcoming trip to Israel?
By JPOST.COM STAFF, REUTERSUpdated: AUGUST 31, 2015 10:30
Kanye West says he's running for president in 2020
Rapper Kanye West announced his plan to run for president in 2020 at Sunday's MTV Music Video Awards ceremony.West, who famously stormed the stage and snatched the microphone from Taylor Swift in 2009 during her acceptance speech, was presented with the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award by Swift.In a parody of West's 2009 speech when he hijacked her award, Swift said "to all the other winners tonight, I'm really happy for you and Imma let you finish, but Kanye West has one of the greatest careers of all time."After a standing ovation, West rehashed the 2009 incident along with many other musings on the authenticity of artistry, at one point criticizing awards shows and MTV for replaying the Swift incident over and over for "more ratings."He ended his speech by declaring, "I have decided in 2020 to run for president," quickly riling up the live audience and social media.West already clarified his political stance on the legalization of marijuana."You all might be thinking right now, I wonder, did he smoke something before he came out here, the answer is yes, I rolled up a little something, I knocked the edge off..." he said.His announcement to run for the presidency comes ahead of West's scheduled trip to perform in Israel on September 30 at Ramat Gan Stadium. Is his upcoming trip the launch of his presidential campaign?