John Legend says he and Kanye West drifted apart because of Trump

“Kanye and I aren’t friends as much as we used to be. I honestly think because we publicly disagreed on his running for office, his supporting Trump, I think it became too much for us to sustain our friendship, honestly,” John Legend has told The Axe Files podcast.

In the lead-up to the 2020 U.S. elections, rapper Kanye West threw his weight behind the Republican candidate and incumbent President Donald Trump. West was captured in photos receiving a branded “Make America Great Again [MAGA]” cap from former President Trump and appearing on Saturday Night Live (SNL) to give a speech, as a sign of endorsing Trump, a move which received mixed reactions from fellow musicians and entertainment pundits. 

Artists such as Meek Mill, Swizz Beatz, T.I, as well as Open Mike Eagle made their sentiments known to Wesy. Swizzy in an Instagram post cast doubt after watching Kanye on SNL wearing a MAGA hat, and said; “I hear you talking ’bout you getting bullied for the [MAGA] hat. It feel kinda funny, ’cause we were just talking about the hat less than 48 hours ago.” Trap rapper T.I later reposted Swizzy’s post and wrote; “Pretty much”. 

The “All of me” hitmaker appears to be the latest artist to open up about how he and West drifted apart. Legend’s 2004 self-titled first album, “Get Lifted”, which West helped produce, was released on the latter’s own GOOD Music label. The duo have frequently worked together.

Legend further revealed that he couldn’t support West’s 2020 U.S. presidential ambitions saying; “I wasn’t alone in that, but, you know, he was not happy about that. And we really haven’t been close since.”

The musician however indicated that although the two are not getting along with each other, he still respects Ye and cherishes his sincerity. 

“I think he’s been very open with who he is and his struggles with mental health,” Legend continued. “And he’s very real, honestly. So I think there’s not a lot about him that people don’t get… Like he’s been pretty upfront with his opinions, his struggles, all the things that he’s dealing with.”

After calling for Tucker Carlson of Fox News to be “de-platformed” for allegedly endorsing a racist ideology that the Buffalo mass shooting gunman allegedly posted online, Legend made his latest remarks.