Kanye West Attacks Abolitionist Harriet Tubman During 'Confusing' Presidential Campaign Rally

At his first presidential campaign rally, rapper Kanye West ranted Sunday in South Carolina against famed abolitionist Harriet Tubman, while also touching on issues such as abortion, religion, and international trade before breaking down in tears.

“Harriet Tubman never actually freed the slaves,” West said. “She just had the slaves work for other white people.”

West's account of Tubman's role in freeing slaves is inaccurate. Born a slave in Maryland in 1822, Tubman remained in servitude until she escaped north to Pennsylvania in 1849. She returned to Maryland shortly after gaining her freedom to rescue the rest of her family, which would lead to her ferrying around 300 slaves to freedom as part of 19 missions with the Underground Railroad.

Her work as an abolitionist and on the Underground Railroad before the Civil War earned Tubman the moniker the “Moses of her people.”

West’s comments at the rally highlight a “confusing” and “befuddling” event in Charleston, the state's most populated city. He appeared on stage with “2020” shaved into the back of his head and wearing a protective vest before addressing the crowd and the online viewers.

West declared his candidacy in the last week after saying he was “taking off the red hat,” meaning he no longer supported President Donald Trump. His campaign then began filing to get the rapper onto various state ballots for the presidential election.

Oklahoma was the first state to confirm it received the filing and West would be added to the state’s November ballot. However, the deadline for many other states has already passed and questions surround whether or not West will be able to qualify for the presidential ballot on other states.

South Carolina requires 10,000 signatures to petition to be placed on the ballot. The signatures were due on Monday by 12 p.m.