US President Donald Trump has extended his thanks to famous rapper Kanye West, one of his biggest supporters. The president's praise came in wake of signing the "first step" of the Criminal Justice Reform, which had been strongly championed by Kanye. Trump noted that the bill received bipartisan support.
Thank you to Kanye West for your nice words. Criminal Justice Reform is now law — passed in a very bipartisan way!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 5, 2019
The tweet gained strong support from some netizens, who praised the adoption of the new law
To my American Country Men and Women!! This is our President. Show some respect and support!! No need to divide us further with your views. Unite yourselves. Trump is for US not against US!! Give OUR #PRESIDENT #RESPECT.
— DaT NoLaN Tho (@GammaBoyz) January 5, 2019
Trump 2020!🇺🇸
— Stephen (@speabud) January 5, 2019
Some people suggested that Trump expand his collaboration to include other famous personalities.
Sounds cool. Since @kanyewest is discussing Prison Reform, perhaps you should meet the Fast and Furious guys to discuss transportation infrastructure…
— Brandon Horan (@brandon_r_horan) January 5, 2019
READ MORE: Netizens Mad as Beyonce, Jay-Z Reportedly Cut Ties With Kanye West Over Trump
Several twitterians believed that perhaps Kanye West was little too into the 45th president.
— unomom (@UnoMom1) January 5, 2019
— rhonda ashby (@aaashbyrhonda) January 5, 2019
Others, infuriated by the government shutdown, were not so supportive.
When you trump lovers don't get your tax refund and other things happen due to shutdown then see if he is still loved. S**t will be hitting the fan
— tomas Robert (@trdarien) January 5, 2019
Trump's tweet comes hot on the heels of veteran American rapper Tracy Lynn Curry, known as the D.O.C., slammed Kanye West for his Twitter post in support of Trump, where he claimed that his MAGA hat stops other people from telling him what to do. The D.O.C. urged West to take a break from his "goofy a** analogies" in support of the US president, calling them "dumb".
Kanye West began expressing strong support for Trump in 2018, calling for several reforms, including the Criminal Justice Reform. West spoke in favour of the measure during a visit to the White House in October 2018, when he spoke to the president directly. His recently expressed political views resulted in backlash, even from some of his fans, which drove the rapper off social media for a brief period of time.
The First Step Act of the Criminal Justice Reform is aimed at reducing number of repeat offenders among former prisoners and was first tried in several states, namely Texas, Georgia, Florida, and South Carolina, showing promising results. The measure supports the reintegration of former criminals into society to prevent them from committing more crimes.
