Kanye West meets US President Trump

Rap superstar Kanye West on Tuesday delivered a surprise even in this most unusual of political years — he met President-elect Donald Trump, marking the artist’s first appearance since a reported mental breakdown. West, a rare US celebrity to voice support for Donald Trump, showed up in the early morning with an entourage and his own cameraman at Trump Tower and boarded the elevator of the tycoon’s skyscraper home. 

An uncharacteristically taciturn West returned to the lobby 40 minutes later with the president-elect himself who, pressed on what the two discussed, said: “Life.” “Just friends, just friends. He’s a good man. Long time. Friends for a long time,” said a visibly upbeat Trump. West, sporting a fitted black sweatshirt, at first stood sullenly with his arms folded as reporters peppered him with questions — including on whether he would make good on his earlier promise to run for president in 2020, presumably challenging Trump. “I’m just here to take a picture right now,” West finally said before flashing a smile and a thumbs-up sign. Notably absent was the rapper’s wife, reality television star Kim Kardashian.