Taylor Swift presented the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award to West, a nod to the pair's infamous moment when West interrupted Swift's acceptance speech during the 2009 VMAs. But Swift expressed her admiration for West, saying that his "The College Dropout" was the first album she bought on iTunes when she was 12 years old.
West was all smiles as he took the stage to a standing ovation, but his speech quickly unraveled. He expressed admiration for his daughter North, ranted against MTV and mentioned that he had smoked marijuana before coming out on stage.
Does he have your vote America? @kanyewest accepts the Video Vanguard award http://t.co/pyg3SBh8gq
— MTV (@MTV) August 31, 2015
The highlight of of West's speech, though, was his announcement of his presidential run in 2020.
Many social media users expressed their thoughts about a potential West presidential campaign in 2020.
.@kanyewest's campaign motto: "Listen To The Kids" #VMA #Kanye2020 pic.twitter.com/a4QK7nPgCV
— Adam Smith (@AdamSmith_USA) August 31, 2015
an actual kanye west presidential candidacy would be america's greatest moment. i would go to church every day just to thank god i was alive
— chillhuahua (@trynnagetajob) August 31, 2015
Kanye for president! Can I be apart of his campaign!! 😎#kanyewest #kanyeforpresident
— Tim Loucks (@LoucksTim) August 31, 2015
If Kanye runs for President I personally think they should outlaw anyone under 30 to vote for president... #VMA #KanyeWest
— Marco Ruben Cavazos (@cavazos_marco) August 31, 2015
West's sister-in-law Khloe Kardashian tweeted the following after the rapper's speech.
Mr West!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NuLlx9MnYT
— Khloé (@khloekardashian) August 31, 2015