Washington (CNN) Yes, Kanye West is serious about running for president, his friend John Legend said.

"He said it multiple times," Legend said in an interview on the Dan Wootton Interview podcast . "I think he's serious."

Legend said he guessed West might run as an independent candidate, although they hadn't had conversations about it. "He's never told me anything about what party," he said. He also said he thought West's political ambitions were inspired by President Donald Trump.

"He sees some aspects of himself in Trump and sees that Trump winning makes it feel like he could do it too," Legend said.

After West's public show of support for Trump in April, in which he tweeted a photo wearing a MAGA hat, Legend reached out and said he hoped West would reconsider aligning himself with the President. West tweeted out screenshots of their texts, which Legend said in the podcast interview "shocked" him.