WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump thanked hip-hop artist Kanye West on Friday for allegedly boosting his popularity among African-Americans.
“Kanye must have some power,” Trump said during remarks before the annual National Rifle Association convention in Dallas, Texas. “I doubled my African-American poll numbers. We went from 11 to 22 in one week.”
“Thank you, Kanye, thank you,” Trump added.
West has sparked controversy recently after offering public support for Trump on Twitter.
we got love pic.twitter.com/Edk0WGscp6
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
my MAGA hat is signed ?????????????????????????????? pic.twitter.com/DrDHJybS8V
— KANYE WEST (@kanyewest) April 25, 2018
The critically acclaimed rapper also has come under fire during an interview with TMZ after suggesting that slavery was a “choice.”
Trump did not say which poll he was referring to, but conservative news site the Daily Caller offered an analysis of a Reuters poll the previous day that appeared to fall in line with the president’s suggestion.
The author noted, however, that the poll surveyed only 200 black people, thus making it hard to draw strong conclusions.
Kanye met with Trump during the 2016 transition at Trump Tower in New York City.
