President Trump on Thursday hosted Kanye West for a wild meeting in the Oval Office days after the rapper made a public display of support for the president. 

Trump said "Kanye has been a friend of mine for a long time" as West, who was wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat, sat across from him at the Resolute Desk. 

The mercurial rap star then launched into a 10-minute monologue touching on his own mental health, the pitfalls of the prison system and the importance of improving life for African-Americans in inner cities. 

West also heaped praise on Trump, saying the president has "bravery" for trying to tackle criminal-justice issues. 

"This is our president. He has to be the freshest. The flyest," the "Black Skinhead" rapper said. 

West also addressed some of the blowback he's received in the entertainment industry for supporting Trump, who has been criticized for inflaming racial tensions with his comments about white nationalist violence and protesting NFL players.

“[Trump] might not have expected a crazy motherf----r like Kanye running up to support," he said, according to reporters in the room. 

Trump returned the favor, saying Kanye "can speak for me any time he wants. he’s a smart cookie. He gets it."

"Could very well be," Trump said when asked if West could run for president. 

“Only after 2024," West responded. 

The bizarre scene played out as Trump and West were surrounded by television cameras and journalists. 

The president has repeatedly pointed to West's support as a sign he is more popular among black people than his critics believe.

https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/410989-trump-meets-kanye-at-surreal-oval-office-meeting