Kanye West did what he does best during his appearance on the Sept. 29 season premiere of Saturday Night Live: inspire controversy and confusion.
Whether it was him dressing up as a water bottle for his musical performance, delivering a pro-Trump speech while wearing a Make America Great Again hat, or failing to release his promised Yhandi album during the show, West drew a myriad of mixed reactions on social media.
Many SNL viewers and fans were flat-out befuddled about West and Lil Pump’s performance of “I Love It,” in which West wore a Perrier-inspired costume and Pump donned what appeared to be a giant bottle of Fiji water.
“I cannot believe I just watched my idol dance around dressed as a water bottle. #SNL I love you @kanyewest,” Twitter user @Stephen_rum wrote.
Elsewhere, West’s fans expressed disappointment and anger when the rapper failed to release his highly anticipated new album, Yhandi. In the days leading up to the SNL season premiere, West promised on social media that Yhandi would drop during the show.
“I’m about to go on a hunger strike like Gandhi til @kanyewest drops Yandhi #Yandi,” fan @NickDiCianni tweeted.
The strongest level of mixed reaction (mostly negative) came from West giving a pro-Trump speech while wearing a MAGA hat. The segment was ultimately cut from the broadcast at the end of the show, but video of the rant quickly spread across the Internet.
“Kanye’s MAGA hat on SNL isn’t cute, challenging, ironic, clever, interesting, controversial, buzzworthy, a statement, or anything else. It’s a cheap attention stunt and @nbcsnl should be ashamed. The Trump regime is a serious threat to so many people. Stop humoring this bullshit,” comic book writer Rob Sheridan tweeted.
In sharp contrast, conservative commentator Candace Owens came to West’s defense and described the rapper/fashion designer as a hero.
Even President Trump weighed in, tweeting: “Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) – no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told “no”), was great. He’s leading the charge!”
“Kanye West is one of the bravest man in Hollywood right now. He was booed off stage last night for openly supporting Trump and telling the truth about the Democrats breaking down black families,” Owens tweeted.
See more social media reactions to West’s SNL appearance below.
Reactions to West dressing as a water bottle
Evolution of Kanye West’s SNL performances pic.twitter.com/7558wcPmgu
— Max (@MAGNANEN) September 30, 2018
That @kanyewest & @lilpump performance was –. #SNL pic.twitter.com/DSGQaC3dr0
— Ali Lerman (@AliNotAlli) September 30, 2018
Ok I’m officially old because I do not understand what is happening on #SNL – why is Kanye West dressed as Perrier?? — pic.twitter.com/lJgAwE2q7G
— Brooke Saunders (@brkster) September 30, 2018
I cannot believe I just watched my idol dance around dressed as a water bottle. #SNL I love you @kanyewest pic.twitter.com/obuTKp6puG
— Stephen Rumbolo (@Stephen_rum) September 30, 2018
Kanye West, the meme. #SNL pic.twitter.com/0Z87XEoKDQ
— Stacy Lambe (@sllambe) September 30, 2018
Ashlee Simpson: I had the worst musical performance in SNL history
YE (fka Kanye West): Hold up, hold my MAGA hat.#SNL#SNLPremiere pic.twitter.com/zyyMx6MqJd
— Beto Guzman (@aguman1540) September 30, 2018
Either I accidentally dropped some acid, or Kanye West dropped a few unbleeped f-bombs on #snl while dressed as a bottle of Perrier. pic.twitter.com/Fen3Qpvgih
— BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan) September 30, 2018
What. Is. Kanye. West. Doing. #SNL pic.twitter.com/vzezUTHWKx
— mcbc (@mcbc) September 30, 2018
Dear @nbcsnl
I have watched you since 1976. Loved some seasons, tolerated others. Be advised if you *ever* have that half-wit, MAGA-loving Kanye West on again I will break up with you forever. 42-years be damned. #SNL #KanyeWest #neveragain— Lori Prull Meyer (@LoriPrullMeyer) September 30, 2018
What is happening on SNL right now? #kanyewest — pic.twitter.com/TGFZtiRViD
— JessicaJRabbit (@jessicajrabbit) September 30, 2018
i’m a kanye west fan and that performance was the worst thing i’ve ever seen in my life but i cannot stop laughing #SNL
— Josh McGhee (@JoshMcGhee13) September 30, 2018
This Kanye West SNL performance was apparently inspired by Victorious. pic.twitter.com/IBv0N7wpNn
— Andrew Clarke (@AwaitingAndrew) September 30, 2018
Reaction to West’s pro-Trump speech
Like many, I don’t watch Saturday Night Live (even though I past hosted it) – no longer funny, no talent or charm. It is just a political ad for the Dems. Word is that Kanye West, who put on a MAGA hat after the show (despite being told “no”), was great. He’s leading the charge!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 30, 2018
Y’all really be bullying the fuck out of Kanye West just because he has an opinion that differs from yours…. are we not in the land of the free? I don’t agree with the dude’s political views, but I know he has the right to have them.
— Nick Bush (@nickbush05) September 30, 2018
Kanye West is one of the bravest man in Hollywood right now. He was booed off stage last night for openly supporting Trump and telling the truth about the Democrats breaking down black families.
PLEASE RETWEET TO SHOW @kanyewest LOVE AND SUPPORT!https://t.co/NOAwWBOYRt
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) September 30, 2018
And only this many clapped for Trump and Kanye as well– pic.twitter.com/QwhbLCuvEe
— Alexander d Holder (@AlexanderdHold2) September 30, 2018
In 5 years, Kanye West is going to pretend he was in on the joke and ironically mocking Trump.
And we’re not buying that bullshit.#SNLPremere
— Charlotte Clymer–?– (@cmclymer) September 30, 2018
kanye west snl Kanye, is taking the road less travel; he is taking the Trump Train of racism, fascism, Nazism & corruption along with a whole passel of old uneducated racists. He needs his own victim card; just like the one I gave to Trump. pic.twitter.com/uKUw2aT2Vf
— BYE, BYE; HARLEY-DAVIDSON ! (@skip_truman) September 30, 2018
Kanye- you are my new hero.—-
— Solod (@solo626310) September 30, 2018
WOW!!
.@kanyewest is far more conservative and patriotic than a US GOP Senator——> .@JeffFlakeA sign of the changing political times we live in!
———-— Eric Bolling—- (@ericbolling) September 30, 2018
After a week where everyone misused the word “courage,” this is actual courage. @kanyewest telling the truth. https://t.co/76980pAMA2
— Nick Searcy, INTERNATIONAL FILM & TELEVISION STAR (@yesnicksearcy) September 30, 2018
Reaction to West failing to release Yhandi album
I’m about to go on a hunger strike like Gandhi til @kanyewest drops Yandhi #Yandi
— Nicholas DiCianni (@NickDiCianni) September 30, 2018
Kanye tryin to figure out how to drop #YANDHI pic.twitter.com/Pl30sdWRoV
— lmao this nigga jordans scuffed (@Deadasswigga) September 30, 2018
Kanye West sneaking out after SNL knowing damn well he’s not releasing Yandhi pic.twitter.com/UeoHm1AeWM
— Walking TED Talk: Hendrix (@HennyPolumathes) September 30, 2018
maybe the real YANDHI were the friends we made along the way
— YANDHI 2NITE (@iloveuthots) September 30, 2018
so @kanyewest gon keep me waiting on that #yandhi like that? pic.twitter.com/TBtuqgQJ5I
— soul?teffy (@_TEFERI) September 30, 2018
it’s midnight and no YANDHI @kanyewest pic.twitter.com/exiIK45dDd
— ????? (@CHOPCHEESEHENNY) September 30, 2018
Me looking for Kanye West’s Yandhi in every corner of Apple Music pic.twitter.com/iJzXV96QcR
— Sergio Muñoz Esquer (@RealSergioMu) September 30, 2018
@kanyewest Wheres Yandhi? pic.twitter.com/nesh9qMI2Y
— Donny (@The_Real_DTC) September 30, 2018
Waiting for #Yandhi @kanyewest pic.twitter.com/Vxf00xRYWp
— shar. (@Sharleenator) September 30, 2018