President Trump is not phased by the possibility of Kanye West launching a run for the White House.
During an Oval Office sit-down with RealClearPolitics on Tuesday, the president reacted to West’s claim that he plans to run for president in 2020, calling it “very interesting.” While Trump did not voice objection to West entering the race, he did point out that the rapper’s chances of winning at this point in the election cycle are slim.
“It’d have to be limited to certain states because in some states, the deadline has been missed,” he said.
Trump added, however, that West could view the contest as a “trial run” for a 2024 candidacy.
“If he did it, he would have to view this as a trial run for what’s going to happen in four years,” he said, adding that the rapper has “a real voice.”
[Related: Trump says Kanye West could ‘very well’ run for president]
West said on Sunday that he would be running for president in November.
“We must now realize the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future. I am running for president of the United States,” he tweeted.
It is unclear how West’s bid would play out if he does enter the race. He does not appear to have officially filed his candidacy with the Federal Election Commission, and several states have already closed their filing windows for independent candidates to gain ballot access.
The rapper has previously voiced his support for Trump and even visited him at the White House.
