President Obama has a few words of advice for political newbie Kanye West.
At a Democratic National Committee fundraiser in San Francisco on Saturday, where Kanye was set to perform, the President poked a bit of friendly fun at the rapper’s White House aspirations.
Before Kanye gears up for his presidential campaign, Obama joked, he’s first planning to squeeze in some practice on Capitol Hill.
PHOTOS: Hottest Hip-Hop Stars!
“Kanye is thinking about running for Speaker of the House. It couldn’t get any stranger,” Obama told the crowd of DNC donors.
“But in case Kanye is serious about this whole POTUS thing — or as he calls it, ‘peezy’ — I do have advice for him,” the President continued.
PHOTOS: Stars Who Ran For Office
“First of all, you have to spend some time dealing with some strange characters who act like they’re on a reality TV show. You gotta be cool with that,” he said, possibly taking a jab at Republican presidential hopeful Donald Trump.
Kanye, of course, is already immersed in the world of reality TV thanks to his famous wife, Kim Kardashian.
“Second important tip: Saying you have a ‘beautiful dark twisted fantasy’ — that’s what’s known as ‘off message’ in politics,” Obama said, referencing Kanye’s landmark 2010 album. “People have lost their congressional seats saying things like that.”
For his final piece of wisdom, the President drew parallels between himself and the controversial recording artist.
PHOTOS: Hot Shots Of Kim Kardashian & Kanye West
“And number three: Do you really think this country’s going to elect a black guy from the South Side of Chicago with a funny name to be president of the U.S.?” he said, as the audience cheered. “That’s crazy. That’s cray.”
Kanye first announced his political agenda at the MTV Video Music Awards in August, revealing plans to run for President in the 2020 election.
Obama’s playful remarks on Saturday stopped short of an endorsement, which is no surprise considering his past comments about the 21-time Grammy winner.
“He is a jack***,” the President told The Atlantic in 2012. “But he’s talented.”
— Erin Biglow
Copyright © 2024 by NBC Universal, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
This material may not be republished, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.