Kanye West Offended By Obama 'American Dream' Criticisms? Rapper Feels Misjudged
Kanye West was reportedly shocked to hear President Barack Obama's criticisms of pop culture's affect on the American dream, particularly because the rapper and his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian, were named as examples.
In an eye-opening interview with Kindle Singles, Obama recently blamed society's fixation on pop culture for the altered view of the American Dream. POTUS used West, 36, and Kardashian, 32, to illustrate his theory that the public's interest into the personal lives of Hollywood celebrities has somehow distorted the way society measures success in relation to the American dream.
"I do think what's shifted is a notion that the wealthier you are, the more conspicuous consumption you engage in. The more successful you are, the more society should stay out of your way as you pursue the bigger house or the fancier jet or the bigger yacht," Obama told David Blum for Kindle Singles.
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"Were there things that all of us might have liked to have? Sure...I think, there also has been a shift in culture. There was not that window into the lifestyles of the rich and famous," he continued adding "Kids weren't monitoring every day what Kim Kardashian was wearing, or where Kanye West was going on vacation, and thinking that somehow that was the mark of success."
West, who was once labeled a "jackass" by Obama for his boorish behavior towards Taylor Swift, was allegedly offended by the President's latest comments. The "New Slaves" rapper reportedly feels insulted however he is doing his best to brush it off.
"Kanye heard what the president said and he wasn't too thrilled about it. He was just like, 'Whoa, even Obama taking shots at me,'" a source told HollywoodLife.com.
"Ain't like what Obama said is going to change anything. It ain't going to change how he and Kim live their lives," the source said. "It's not about to change how much money they make. It's not going to change anything, not even how the fans think."
West, who recently welcomed the birth of his first child with Kim Kardashian, reportedly feels misjudged by Obama with a source revealing the rapper is not consumed by his wealth and does not care about fame.
"Everybody know Kanye don't care s--- about being famous, he hates it. All he's trying to do is inspire people through his music and go down in history as one of the greatest artist who ever held the mic," the source explained. "Same as Obama is trying to do as president — leave a legacy behind."
West is not the only celebrity who was upset over Obama's criticisms. Kardashian matriarch Kris Jenner defended the famous couple by taking a jab at the President on her talk show "Kris."
"I bet the president has some friends with 10,000-square-foot houses and you probably wouldn't mind going over there, Mr. President while you were asking them to have a party for you when you were campaigning for dollars to run for president," Jenner said, referring to high-netting, star-studded fundraising parties previously thrown for Obama by various celebrities.
