Kanye West and President-elect Donald Trump’s meeting raised a lot of eyebrows on Tuesday and drew in its fair share scrutiny from artists and fans alike. However out of everyone being critical of Kanye, none hits closer to home than singer John Legend, who got his career started with the help of West and G.O.O.D. Music. Now, Legend says he is “pretty disappointed” in ‘Ye for his recent actions on the political front.
In a newly released video interview with French media outlet Clique, Legend was asked his opinion on both Trump and West and he spared no words in his assessment. “I don’t think it’s impossible to talk to [Donald Trump] about issues,” Legend said, “but I won’t be used as a publicity stunt. I think Kanye was a publicity stunt.”
He continued, “I’m pretty disappointed with Kanye that he says he would have voted for Trump. I think Trump has been corrosive, his message has been corrosive to the country. I think the things he’s promised to do have been very concerning for a lot of people, and for Kanye to support that message is very disappointing.”
Legend’s shared history with Kanye dates all the way back to 2004 when G.O.O.D. Music was in its infant stages. Legend’s Get Lifted project was the first album released by the new label. He also released follow-up record, Once Again, through G.O.O.D. in 2006 and his subsequent works were, too, dating up to 2013’s Love in the Future. As well, the two often toured together during the early stages their careers.
Of course, the singer’s also been very outspoken regarding his opinion of Trump, most recently comparing the newly elected leader to Hitler in his rhetoric. Legend’s also had a few run-ins with other members of the Trump family on social media.
Legend went on to say that he couldn’t support Kanye’s decision to meet with Trump, no matter the reasons why. “Whatever’s in his mind, I disagree with him,” he said.
