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In August of 2018, artist and designer Kanye West made several public appearances where he acknowledged his diagnosis with bipolar disorder. But in a rambling, seemingly manic appearance with President Donald Trump in the Oval Office at the White House on Thursday, West walked back his earlier statements claiming he was "misdiagnosed" and only "sleep deprived."
People with firsthand experience with the mental illness are inclined to believe his earlier statement.
Especially after where West went—and what West did—when he was done at the White House.
In an Apple Store in Washington DC, West climbed onto a table to give an impromptu and uninvited speech. Patrons of the store witnessing the "keynote" address were left baffled.
The clothing and footwear designer drew attention to his revised MAGA hat that he remade to say just "MAG" or "Make America Great." West stated from his tabletop stage:
"It hurts us as people, specifically black people, the idea [of MAGA], because we say, was America ever great for us? So we made an updated hat that said, 'Make America Great', and Trump wore the hat so he is open to adjusting and listening."
Several people captured the moment and shared it on Twitter. Being DC, reporters for CNN and Religion News Service lucked into the situation.
Caroline Kelly, breaking news reporter for CNN was among the confused crowd wondering why West decided to give a presentation in an Apple Store.
I walk into the Georgetown Apple store and out walks Kanye West https://t.co/QKlbOOCDZH— Caroline Kelly (@Caroline Kelly) 1539290792.0
Kelly captured part of West's speech on her phone.
“...It hurts us as people, specifically black people, the idea, because we say, was America ever great for us? So w… https://t.co/z7QdgRlBYt— Caroline Kelly (@Caroline Kelly) 1539294333.0
Jack Jenkins, a reporter for Religion News Service, also got to see the "keynote" address, as West referred his speech.
Hey I’m feet from Kanye in a DC Apple Store apparently. https://t.co/hTZ9eAB7mB— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539290754.0
He captured the speech as well.
He just asked to give a “keynote” on top a table. He’s doing it. https://t.co/y30F1bU9aj— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539290845.0
Jenkins shared West's important hat news too...
He’s announcing he made a hat for Trump that says “made an updated hat that says ‘make America great’ without the ‘… https://t.co/OiCiBzFf6E— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539290977.0
To clarify my typo-ridden tweet: He’s announcing he made a hat for Trump that says “‘make America great’ without th… https://t.co/JAbRGaOnDv— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539291754.0
...and added West's parting words.
He just left, saying he’s going to Africa.— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539291006.0
Apple Store employees wouldn’t comment on why Kanye was there, except one under his breath. Me: “Why was Kanye her… https://t.co/DTXTGNPEUx— Jack Jenkins (@Jack Jenkins) 1539292379.0
People were concerned for West's mental state after his visit to the Oval Office and accused Trump of exploiting a person experiencing a manic episode.
West's Apple Store appearance did not allay any fears for his health.
@jackmjenkins @real_farmacist Kanye’s having a manic episode. He needs help.— EldieJune (@EldieJune) 1539292189.0
@EldieJune @jackmjenkins @real_farmacist Now people can see how exhausting it is for families and friends when someone is manic.— Anne Tappe Scarff 🆘️ (@Anne Tappe Scarff 🆘️) 1539293248.0
@jackmjenkins As #PeteDavidson said on #WeekendUpdate, "We both know which side of Kanye is at the wheel right now."— Kerry B (@Kerry B) 1539292678.0
@caroline_mkelly I made more sense when I experimented with LSD-25.— Diane Powell #HandMarkedPaperBallots (@Diane Powell #HandMarkedPaperBallots) 1539296053.0
@caroline_mkelly Let’s “Make America Sane Again”.— Anthony M. Napoli (@Anthony M. Napoli) 1539347925.0
@jackmjenkins @chrislhayes Kim, please collect your husband...— JPTB (@JPTB) 1539292561.0
@jackmjenkins What a spectacle. He’s spiraling. Where are the people that truly love and care about this person? Wh… https://t.co/d5afKGILYY— teetads (@teetads) 1539292555.0
@teetads @jackmjenkins Get Out 2: Kardashian Family Values— Individual 1 (@Individual 1) 1539292895.0
@Zipaloonie @jackmjenkins I know one person who was watching and loving every minute of it. https://t.co/BtlThdoqFe— teetads (@teetads) 1539293237.0
@caroline_mkelly https://t.co/p8KwfzJo0j— Yvette Smith-Smith (@Yvette Smith-Smith) 1539294671.0
Although one person asked an important question regarding West's choice to go to an Apple Store.
@caroline_mkelly @DanielStrauss4 Did he want help changing his iPhone password?— Colin Wilhelm (@Colin Wilhelm) 1539291661.0
@caroline_mkelly this tweet is gonna go viral so allow me to use the space underneath for an important public safet… https://t.co/XuTdccJnUg— Eric Geller (@Eric Geller) 1539290972.0