Understanding Kanye West's Bizarre Tweet on Abolishing the 13th Amendment

On Sunday afternoon, Kanye West did exactly what Kanye West does best: The rapper confused and outraged the Internet after making an unexplained comment about a sensitive topic on Twitter.

This time, it was about the 13th Amendment.

The Washington Post writes that West performed on Saturday Night Live, then donned a “Make America Great Again” hat and praised Trump, which triggered boos from the audience.

Chris Rock’s Instagram story captured Kanye West going on a rant about Trump after “SNL” last night. Cheering and boos can be heard from the audience. pic.twitter.com/aXmG9JirrM

— Frank Pallotta (@frankpallotta) September 30, 2018

SNL did not air that clip, and so on Sunday, West got on Twitter to spread his MAGA support more directly. He shared a picture of himself in his pro-Trump red hat, and in tweeted a call for the abolition of the 13th Amendment.

this represents good and America becoming whole again. We will no longer outsource to other countries. We build factories here in America and create jobs. We will provide jobs for all who are free from prisons as we abolish the 13th amendment. Message sent with love pic.twitter.com/a15WqI8zgu

— ye (@kanyewest) September 30, 2018

Outrage ensued because the amendment abolished slavery. West later clarified that he meant we should amend the amendment, not get rid of it completely. “The 13th Amendment is slavery in disguise . . . meaning it never ended . . . We are the solution that heals,” he wrote, according to The Post.

the 13th Amendment is slavery in disguise meaning it never ended We are the solution that heals

— ye (@kanyewest) September 30, 2018

The Washington Post writes that it is likely he was referring to the 13th Amendment’s “exception clause” which is part of the amendment that allowed slavery and involuntary servitude to continue across the country, on plantations and in prisons. Many argue that its impact is still felt in prison labor.

I think @kanyewest wants to abolish the part of the 13th amendment that says “except as a punishment for crime…”

but it’s hard to be sure that’s what he meant because he is an idiot. pic.twitter.com/1KJAXZha1e

— Blaxby Chambliss (@BlaxbyChambliss) September 30, 2018

Kanye West just tweeted that he wants to abolish the 13th Amendment, you know, the one that ended slavery.

If this doesn’t stop y’all from supporting him I don’t know what will.

— Denizcan Grimes (@MrFilmkritik) September 30, 2018