R&B star says he believes the meeting was just a publicity stunt, and says Trump has been ‘corrosive to the country’

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

John Legend has said he is “disappointed” with Kanye West for his meeting with Donald Trump, which he has described as a “publicity stunt”.

West met with the president-elect at Trump Tower in New York and said that he did so in order to discuss “multicultural issues”.

Singer-songwriter Legend, who has collaborated with West in the past and who has connections with West’s GOOD Music record label, expressed his opinions about the encounter to French media outlet Clique.

Legend said: “I don’t think it’s impossible to talk to him about issues, but I won’t be used as a publicity stunt. I think Kanye was a publicity stunt.

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“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.”

He said: “I think the things he has promised to do have been very concerning for a lot of people, and for Kanye to support that message is very disappointing.”

He added: “Whatever’s in his mind, I disagree with him.”

West and Trump spoke about “issues including bullying, supporting teachers, modernising curriculums, and violence in Chicago”, the rapper revealed in a tweet.

In what was his first Twitter post for almost two months, West wrote: “I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future president if we truly want change.”

West previously announced his own plan to run for president in 2020, but tweeted “2024” after the meeting with Trump.

He also tweeted a photo of a copy of Time magazine’s person of the year edition, with Trump on the cover, autographed by the president elect with the inscription: “To Kanye, you are a great friend. Thanks.”

The 39-year-old posed for photos in the lobby of Trump Tower with the president-elect after the meeting, and when asked why he was not speaking replied “I just want to take a picture right now”.

Trump said the two were “just friends” and that they discussed “life”, describing the musician as a “good man”.

Last month, the star, who is married to Kim Kardashian West, said he did not vote in the US elections, but if he had done so, he would have backed Mr Trump.