Eyes rolled, foreheads wrinkled and heads shook on Saturday when Kanye West announced he would run for the US presidency. Not in 2024, no: he plans to run this year.
It was the strangest bit of news this week: but only this week, because in this maelstrom of a year, we’ve become inured to the weird.
The Ultralight Beam rapper, 43, chose to announce the news on Twitter on July 4, aka US Independence Day. Contrived timing.
“We must now realise the promise of America by trusting God, unifying our vision and building our future,” West said in the tweet. “I am running for president of the United States. #2020vision.”
Many dismiss West’s Twitter outbursts, speeches and announcements as rants. But that is to underestimate him. West is a wizard of stirring media attention so he can piggyback the promotion of an upcoming album or business deal as his mentions rise.
This is what I think he’s doing with his West 2020 bid. Let me explain...
After West announced his 2020 Vision, Elon Musk – founder of Tesla and fellow fan of controversial tweets – endorsed his run for president, tweeting: “You have my full support!” Much less surprising was Kim Kardashian’s nod of approval; she replied to West’s announcement with an emoji of the US flag.
Is West sincere? Well, he’s very late to the race. He’s already missed the deadline for running for the Democrats or the Republicans, which means he has to run as an independent.
If he wants to see his name on the ballot alongside Donald Trump – who he’s supported in the past – and Democratic Party nominee Joe Biden, he has his work cut out for him, and time isn’t on his side.
Of course, his running could also be a way to take votes away from Biden, a tactic that would favour Trump. West has endorsed Trump in the past and has visited the White House, where he was pictured wearing a "Make American Great Again!" hat.
I don't think West is serious about setting up shop in the Oval Office. Sure, we may still see his name on the ballot but, to West, joining the presidential race could be nothing more than an elaborate marketing ploy for his upcoming album, God's Country.
It is interesting that he announced his bid mere days after releasing a new single, Wash Us in the Blood with Travis Scott. He has more than music to promote right now, too: he just signed a deal with American clothing brand Gap for an upcoming collection.
‘My next trick will be a slightly modified version of my last trick’
This also isn’t the first time that West has declared his intentions to run for president.
In August 2015, after receiving the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the MTV Video Music Awards, West took to the stage to deliver an epic rant that went viral mostly because of its closing remark:
“It’s about ideas, bro. New ideas. People with ideas. People who believe in truth. And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.”
Six months later, his critically acclaimed The Life of Pablo – three years in the making – was released.
In the week leading up to its release, West proclaimed it as not only the album of the year but the “album of the life”, and then took on Wiz Khalifa in a fiery and bizarre Twitter feud, before writing in caps “Bill Cosby is innocent” with a flurry of exclamation marks.
West may be controversial, but he’s far from unpredictable.
He knows his outbursts, comments and fashion choices can shepherd headlines. And he knows how to make the attention work for him.
He had a similar approach in 2018, a month before the release of his eighth studio album, Ye. It was a tumultuous promotional cycle, even by Kanye standards – he returned from a Twitter hiatus, singing praise for everyone from Trump to the Hindu spiritual guru Amma Mata.
Then he appeared on TMZ and spewed out infamous remarks on slavery, saying it "sounds like a choice".
West knows controversy attracts media attention, and he knows media attention can help promote sales. He is a vanguard of the phrase “no such thing as bad publicity” and there’s nothing like announcing a bid to become president to turn heads.
As the US poet Hanif Abdurraqib said in a tweet: “Have to say I am once again surprised to see that there are many people who appear to be unfamiliar with an album promotion cycle”. He followed this tweet by writing: “... and for my next trick, I am going to be performing a slightly modified version of my last trick”.
I am inclined to concur with Abdurraqib. But, then again, given the Slinky-like turns and twists this year has taken, I could be completely wrong with regards to West’s intentions, and by the end of the year, we may be referring to him as the 46th president of the US.
Stranger things have happened.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 201hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 320Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 8.7L/100km
Price: Dh133,900
On sale: now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
WOMAN AND CHILD
Director: Saeed Roustaee
Starring: Parinaz Izadyar, Payman Maadi
Rating: 4/5
The stats
Ship name: MSC Bellissima
Ship class: Meraviglia Class
Delivery date: February 27, 2019
Gross tonnage: 171,598 GT
Passenger capacity: 5,686
Crew members: 1,536
Number of cabins: 2,217
Length: 315.3 metres
Maximum speed: 22.7 knots (42kph)
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill
Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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