Picking up from the Twitter drama from Wednesday, Kanye West on Thursday shared private text messages from his friend "John," who was urging him to "reconsider aligning" himself with Trump.
The contact identified himself as "JL" and urged Kanye to not allow his endorsement of Trump to tarnish his reputation.
"So many people who love you feel so betrayed right now because they know the hurt that Trump's policies cause, especially to people of color," the friend said.
Kanye responded saying he "appreciate[d]" his concerns, however, he thought his friend bringing up his legacy was "a tactic based on fear used to manipulate" his "free thought."
Many speculated "JL" was his good (G.O.O.D. — remember those times?!) friend John Legend. Reps from John Legend's team confirmed to BuzzFeed News the texts were real, sent in earnest, and are from the singer.
I tweeted the John text to show that there are people around me that disagree with me and voice their opinion. I respect everyone's opinion but I stand my ground.
Legend then urged the rapper to "think with empathy and context." Then he added that he has a new single coming out as a preemptive joke to his texts leaking.
Even though their texts seemingly ended there, Kanye kept tweeting, of course. He defended himself again, saying he is "very empathetic" and that he believes people don't extend the same kind of empathy toward MAGA supporters.
I really appreciate this dialogue with John Legend because I'm actually very empathetic. Im still the kid from the telethon. I feel when people think of MAGA they don't think of empathy.
People applauded Legend for trying to speak some sense to 'Ye...
John Legend tried https://t.co/QrwdKnHdyx
...who many believe is behaving really off-kilter lately.
HES REALLY LOST IT https://t.co/nmeB8bQO7I
He gone https://t.co/hJpqV1ZLRc
However, the MAGA crowd now stands firmly with Kanye and is loving every bit of it.
Looks like John Legend took a break from tweeting anti-police rhetoric just long enough to try to guilt @kanyewest for being a free thinker. Kanye’s response is priceless! Fear and manipulation by the Left isn’t working. #IStandWithKanye #woke #maga https://t.co/JpAuG3Zmrw
.@kanyewest is absolutely correct here but let me add that SMART fans of Kanye should feel betrayed by what @thedemocrats have done to them for the past 240 years straight. https://t.co/PjAz81xjjz
If you're wondering how Chrissy Teigen feels about all of this, she addressed all of it in a series of tweets — first by defending herself and her husband and saying they did take a stand.
Everyone keeps asking me to comment on shit. Comment on psycho Tami Lasagna, whom I refuse to give the joy to, say something about RHOA, speak up about kanye. When it comes to people we know, we DO speak up. To THEM. not on Twitter. And sometimes, I guess it makes it to Twitter.
And making a (pretty good) joke.
This is the most elaborate and complex google pixel phone ad I have ever seen. https://t.co/RYSZcJxUk3
Is this a joke though? Is it all an elaborate ad? What is real anymore?
And then tweeting @ her good friend Kim Kardashian West confirming dinner plans on Friday.
@KimKardashian are we still doing dinner Friday or no lol
(Kim confirmed and suggested "maybe no phones" this time.)
Yes but maybe no phones 🤣📵📵📵📵😂 https://t.co/zIEZS28DXC
Until next time!
