Kanye West says met Trump to discuss multicultural issues

NEW YORK - Kanye West met Republican President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday to discuss what he said were "multicultural issues" including bullying, education and violence.

West's meeting at Trump Tower sent social media into a frenzy and fueled speculation about a possible performance at Trump's inauguration or an informal administration role for the rapper.

But West, 39, said on Twitter he had wanted to meet Trump "to discuss multicultural issues."

"These issues included bullying, supporting teachers, modernizing curriculums, and violence in Chicago," tweeted the singer who was raised in Chicago. "I feel it is important to have a direct line of communication with our future President if we truly want change."

Spotted at Trump Tower: @kanyewest and @realDonaldTrump pose for the media https://t.co/F3AUqnAji2 pic.twitter.com/JHTGykV9yE

— Reuters Pictures (@reuterspictures) December 13, 2016

Kanye West-Trump meeting sparks talk of inauguration performance https://t.co/rJG2LOJZxc pic.twitter.com/O2o7DwrQNK

— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) December 13, 2016

The 15-minute meeting was the first major outing by West since he was released on Nov. 30 after a week in a Los Angeles psychiatric hospital with an unexplained condition. It quickly became the top trending topic on Twitter.

Asked about the purpose of the 15-minute meeting, Trump told reporters afterward, "Friends, just friends. He's a good man. Long time. Friends for a long time."

Trump added that the two had "discussed life."

West, looking solemn and sporting a new blond hairdo, was without his wife, reality television star Kim Kardashian.

West made headlines in November when he was booed at a concert for declaring his support for Trump, although he said he had not voted in the Nov. 8 presidential election. The "Jesus Walks" rapper also had declared he planned to run for US president in 2020.

E! News, whose E! network broadcasts reality show "Keeping Up With the Kardashians," said earlier that said Trump reached out to West. "Trump thinks he's a great role model when it comes to business," E! quoted a source close to the rapper as saying.

Tuesday's visit also came as Trump's team plans his Jan. 20 inauguration. Asked by reporters whether he is considering performing at the inauguration, West did not respond.

Music stars including Beyonce, Katy Perry and Bruce Springsteen backed Democrat Hillary Clinton in the election and no celebrities have yet been announced as taking part in the inauguration, although country singer Garth Brooks is in discussions to perform.

West was hospitalized last month after a series of bizarre rants and after he abruptly canceled the remainder of his US tour. No official explanation has been given about his condition, which was initially attributed to exhaustion. — Reuters