Kanye West explains MAGA support as ‘1984 Orwell’ reference in new documentary

Kanye West is opening up about why he supported the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) movement in the new limited-release documentary In Whose Name?

Inside the documentary

The rapper discussed his decision in the film, which includes over 3,000 hours of footage filmed across six years by director Nico Ballesteros and he reflected on the time before his controversial 2018 Saturday Night Live appearance, where he delivered a long speech in support of then-President Donald Trump.

Feeling trapped and fighting for freedom

"I'm literally inside of current slavery and being accosted by my own people to not free my mind," the Gold Digger rapper says in the documentary.

Kanye also spoke about the $80 million cost of getting his music masters back, claiming that "Prince couldn't afford it."

Why he wore the MAGA hat

The Heartless hitmaker then explained why he wore the MAGA hat despite criticism. "When I wear the hat, it ain't about every one of this man's principles."

Kanye said, referring to Donald, "It ain't about. It's not about the detention centers, which we know were here through a bunch of presidents. It ain't about does a 72-year-old white man give a f--- about Black people?"

He continued, "It's about 1984 Orwell. It's about mind control. It's about Big Brother. It's about if I use the word 'Hitler' am I not canceled? Do I lose my Adidas deal if I say the word 'Hitler' out loud?"

Controversies and backlash

Kanye has long been a controversial figure due to his public comments including antisemitic remarks that cost him partnerships with Adidas, Balenciaga and Gap and in October 2022, he posted online that he was going to go "death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE," leading to suspensions on X and Instagram.

Earlier this year, he said antisemitism was "just some bulls--- Jewish people made up" and wrote in a since-deleted post that he's "never apologising."

Kanye’s support for Donald Trump over the years

The Runaway rapper has spoken many times about why he supported Donald. In 2019 he tweeted, “One of my favourite of many things about what the Trump hat represents to me is that people can’t tell me what to do because I’m Black."

In a 2020 WSJ. Magazine cover story, Kanye added, "I’m a Black guy with a red MAGA hat, can you imagine?" explaining it reminded him of being judged before fame.

The Stronger crooner first expressed support for Donald Trump in 2016 but later launched his own presidential run in 2020 before conceding that November.