Here we go. Kanye West has taken to Twitter to defend his typically bizarre appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live.
During the interview, Kimmel noted that many of Kanye’s fans were at a loss to reconcile Yeezy’s support of US President Donald Trump, given the rapper’s famous disdain for previous Republican President George W. Bush.
When pressed on Trump’s controversial border policies, Kanye appeared to be at a loss for words. As those who have seen the interview can attest, Ye responded with a pause so pregnant the show was forced to cut to commercial. When Kanye and Kimmel returned, they were no longer discussing the topic.
West has since returned to Twitter to “clarify the clickbait”.
As it turns out, West’s account of these events is very different from what many viewers had assumed. “I wasn’t stumped,” he says. “I wasn’t given a chance to answer the question.”
On Jimmy Kimmel we had a great time having a dialogue. I’m reading that I was stumped by a question. Let me clarify the click bait. I wasn’t stumped. I wasn’t given a chance to answer the question.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 11, 2018
West claims not to have been thrown by the question as much as having withdrawn into a deeper state of contemplation.
“The question was so important I took time to think,” he continues, “And then I was hit with the let’s go to commercial break.” He was not critical of Kimmel.
The question was so important I took time to think. And then I was hit with the let’s go to commercial break. That interview showed strong personalities with different opinions having a civil conversation.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 11, 2018
A follow-up tweet mentioned that Kanye had gifted Jimmy a pair of Yeezys, an act he likens to extending an “olive branch”.
I was so happy when I saw Jimmy walk out in the Yeezys. That was an olive branch. He lead with love. I appreciate Jimmy and his team. You guys are Jedi’s. much love.
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) August 11, 2018
While Kimmel has feuded with Kanye via Twitter in the past, he seems accepting of West’s position.
“Not every question warrants an immediate answer,” he responded via his own account.
Not every question warrants an immediate answer. Some answers need to be considered and a talk show with time constraints is a difficult place to do that. I know how much Kanye cares and I am so impressed by what he is doing quietly and without fanfare to help those who need it https://t.co/wQBsE5v1v2
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) August 12, 2018
For many, Kimmel’s statement will no doubt ring true. But the question remains — where does West stand when it comes to one of the most polarising of all Trump’s policies?
For all his clarification, Ye remains silent as to what might have been disclosed had he been given the proper opportunity to respond.
Watch his full Kimmel interview, below.
