Kanye West releases first presidential campaign ad 22 days before vote

Clip invokes faith and prayer and urges voters to write in the rapper

Kanye West has released his first presidential campaign ad, 22 days before the 2020 general election.

The clip, unveiled on Monday, emphasises religion and urges voters to write in West as their candidate of choice.

“America. What is America’s destiny? What is best for our nation? Our people? What is just? True justice?" West ponders in the video.

“We have to think about all these things together as a people. To contemplate our future, to live up to our dream, we must have vision.

“We as a people will revive our nation’s commitment to faith, to what our constitution calls the free exercise of religion, including, of course, prayer. Through prayer, faith can be restored.”

West is seen in the clip speaking with a black-and-white American flag in the background. The video also includes photos from West’s younger years.

“By turning to faith, we will be the kind of nation, the kind of people God intends us to be,” West adds.

The video ends with the words, “I am Kanye West and I approve this message”, and urges voters to “write in Kanye West” on their 2020 ballots.

Write-ins are a way for a candidate to accrue votes even if they don’t appear on the ballot. West, who announced his candidacy in July, has failed to make the ballot in several key states.

Many have questioned the seriousness of West’s campaign, especially as he missed a string of important deadlines.

Asked in an interview with Forbes whether he was running a spoiler campaign against Joe Biden, West responded by stating he was “walking”, not running, for president, adding that he was “walking… to win”.