Kanye West’s 2020 presidential campaign cost the rapper/fashion designer nearly $12.5million of his own money, according to a report released by the Federal Election Commission.
The celebrity/political outsider self-funded a majority of his run, which didn’t begin until four-months before voting day, only raising $2million for outside contributors.
That lack of enthusiasm transferred to the ballot box where West, 43, earned 66,000 votes nationally – averaging out his final campaign costs at nearly $200 per vote.
The rapper’s final finance docs come just days after confirmation of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, a split which some sources say was set into motion after West shared intimate details about the marriage during his July 4th campaign kick-off.
Hey big spender: Kanye West reportedly shelled out $12.5million of his own money to fund his 2020 presidential bid while only managing to raise around $2million from outside sources. He’s seen in 2018 above
Reasons: The final numbers come after official news of his divorce from Kim Kardashian, a split which some sources say was set into motion after West shared intimate details about the marriage during his July 4th campaign kick-off (above)
All in all, West’s campaign – which he ran under the banner of the Birthday Party, focusing his platform on Christian values, fiscal conservatism and criminal justice reform – ended with $1.3million in its coffers.
West’s funds seem like mere pennies compared to now-President Joe Biden, who was able to raise more than $1billion while former President Donald Trump raised more than $811million.
The docs show that a majority of the West campaign’s total $14,538,989.74 in funds went to pay for ‘ballot access.’
Of the $7.5million shelled out, $1.28million was paid to Atlas Strategy Group, which is run by Republican strategist Gregg Keller, who reportedly was considered to lead Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign.
The investment didn’t help the campaign make much headway, however.
In the end, the Jesus Walks rapper only made it onto the ballot in 12 states.
Other major campaign costs included legal fees, production for online videos he used to promote his campaign and ‘Kanye 2020’ apparel.
Accounting: West, 43, earned 66,000 votes nationally – averaging out his final campaign costs at nearly $200 per vote
Media matters: Though money went to produce promotional videos, Kanye’s campaign opted against purchasing any television, radio or digital advertising, a category which dominates traditional campaign spending
Though money went to produce promotional videos, Kanye’s campaign opted against purchasing any television, radio or digital advertising, a category which dominates traditional campaign spending.
A former West campaign insider speaking to People admitted funds could have been better spent, telling the magazine: ‘I didn’t see any Kanye ads, did you? …If [West] had pushed and done a $10 million buy digitally, they could’ve actually made a difference in a few states.’
‘Typically, [television and digital ads] combine for about 60-70 percent of a campaign’s budget — minimum,’ they added.
As the campaign headed into the home stretch, West infused more than $2.7million of his own money into their war chest.
Mismanaged: A former West campaign insider said if the rapper had ‘pushed and done a $10 million buy digitally, they could’ve actually made a difference in a few states.’ He’s seen in March 2020 above
But that money failed to make it far during the final month leading to the election, according to the insider who told People the independent campaign ‘overpaid on a lot of stuff.’
FEC docs show West’s campaign shelled out $210,544 for a two-page ad in The New York Times and spent another $918,130 on campaign apparel on Election Day.
The source said West’s lack of experience was a strong factor in his campaign’s failure, saying: ‘He isn’t versed enough politically.’
‘He figured that by doing it on his own, he could control his own media. But he has so much other stuff going on in his life that has nothing to do with politics that the distractions are there.’
‘Final straw’: West’s presidential ambitions were reportedly a factor in the downfall of his marriage to Kim Kardashian, with an insider calling it the ‘final straw’
Emotions: Any prior relationship tension was magnified when West kicked off his campaign on July 4th 2020 with an rambling rally where he revealed the couple considered aborting their first child – a breach of trust which insiders left Kim ‘furious’
West’s marriage to Kim Kardashian was reportedly strained before the campaign, but according to Calabasas insiders the ‘final straw’ was ‘a combination of the Presidential run and his Twitter rants.’
Any prior relationship tension was magnified when West kicked off his campaign on July 4th 2020 with an rambling rally where he revealed the couple considered aborting their first child – a breach of trust which insiders left Kim ‘furious.’
Around the same time Kanye also embarked on a series of Twitter tirades, accusing Kim of having tried to get him committed and insinuating that she was unfaithful.
Amid the public meltdowns Kim made a statement referring to her husband’s bipolar disorder and pointing out ‘that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor.’
But now that the couple are officially parting ways, the pain and chaos has reportedly ceased.
‘There is no drama between Kim and Kanye. Kim is mostly just disappointed that they couldn’t figure out how to stay married.’
The pair – who share kids North, seven, Saint, five, Chicago, two, and Psalm, one – are seeking joint custody and neither is disputing their prenuptial agreement, according to sources.
Parting ways: ‘There is no drama between Kim and Kanye. Kim is mostly just disappointed that they couldn’t figure out how to stay married’