*By Max Godnick*
Kanye West was slinging optimistic platitudes last month, courting conservative thought leaders, and increasing his public profile.
Could a trip to Iowa be next?
The rapper's recent Twitter activity has caused some pundits to speculate about his political ambitions.
In April, West expressed his "love" for President Trump and wore a "Make America Great Again" hat in [a photo](https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/989222392630202368). He said he "likes the way" the right-wing commentator Candace Owens thinks, and released a new song with the lyric: "I know Obama was heaven-sent, but ever since Trump won, it proved that I could be president."
West had teased a potential White House run in September 2015 at MTV's Video Music Awards, where he announced, "I have decided in 2020 to run for president."
Last week, he appeared to postpone his plan, cryptically tweeting ["2024"](https://twitter.com/kanyewest/status/988984329295441921).
"I could see him trying," said Brande Victorian, the managing editor of MadameNoire, a Black women's lifestyle site. "I mean, we didn't think Trump would be here."
Republicans have embraced West's newly-public political musings. Donald Trump Jr. [tweeted a photo](https://twitter.com/DonaldJTrumpJr/status/990930382685196288) Monday of West with Owens and the conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Victorian said Tuesday in an interview with Cheddar she was skeptical that West could convince his fans to fully get behind conservatives.
"You're asking virtually everyone who the party does not care about to all of a sudden have empathy for this group, which is nonsensical," she said.
For full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/will-kanye-west-run-for-president).
A country singer named Andy Stone is contesting the copyright of Mariah Carey’s hit "All I Want For Christmas Is You." The songwriting plaintiff is positing that the pop singer's hit caused brand confusion with a song he co-wrote prior to the release of her holiday favorite — though the songs share very little in common other than the title. Stone is seeking $20 million in damages from the pop icon, a fraction of the $60 million Carey reportedly has made of the song.
U.S. stocks close Monday's session slight higher Monday as investors continue to monitor whether the economy will successfully avoid a recession. For many, fears over inflation and rising interest rates. Tommy Mancuso, president and co-founder of the Bad Investment Company, joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Babylist is an online baby registry for expecting and new parents, who can use the platform to share what they would like to receive as gifts to celebrate their baby's birth. The company also operates as an e-commerce and content platform for baby products, saying it aims to be a one-stop solution for parents, family, and friends to buy best-in-class baby products at what is a critical and deeply personal moment in their lives. Natalie Gordon, founder and CEO of Babylist. joins Cheddar News' Closing Bell to discuss.
Cheddar's Michelle Castillo sits down with Jane Danger, national mixologist with Pernod Ricard, to talk all about the top summer cocktails to try with friends.
