Names and faces
Perhaps overshadowed by the Nicki Minaj- Miley Cyrus feud, Kanye West tried to become the t a ke- home story of Sunday ’ s MTV Video Music Awards by announcing that he will seek the nation’s highest office six years from now. West culminated a long and rambling award acceptance speech by saying, “And yes, as you probably could have guessed by this moment, I have decided in 2020 to run for president.” The declaration was nothing like the hemming and hawing that usually precedes politicians’ presidential campaign announcements, sometimes for months, so they can test the waters and raise money without having to officially become candidates. The news did get an official, albeit tongue- in- cheek, reaction from the White House. Presidential press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on President Barack Obama’s trip to Alaska: “I look forward to seeing what slogan he chooses to embroider on his campaign hat.” West’s declaration could invoke interest from the Federal Election Commission. Campaign- finance law says West would have to declare after raising or spending more than $ 5,000, according to FEC spokesman Christian Hilland. “Within 15 days of having crossed that threshold, the individual would have to register with the FEC as a candidate,” Hilland said in a phone interview on Monday. West’s personal financial disclosure, a filing that would offer a glimpse of his own wealth, would be due 30 days after that, though two 45- day extensions are typically granted. In the meantime, a political action committee called Ready for Kanye has submitted its statement of organization to the commission. Survival expert Bear Grylls will take President Barack Obama exploring the Alaskan wilderness in a special episode of the series Running Wild with Bear Grylls. NBC said the episode will be taped as part of the president’s three- day trip to the state as Obama tries to bring attention to the issue of climate change. It will air on NBC later this year. Obama and Grylls, a British adventurer introduced to Americans through his Discovery Channel series, Man vs. Wild, will observe firsthand the effects of climate change. Grylls also will give the president a primer on survival skills. The Running Wild appearance is Obama’s latest attempt to get his message out to the public using nontraditional media outlets. The president already has appeared on Between Two Ferns with Zach Galifianakis to promote his health care overhaul and chatted in Marc Maron’s garage about gun control and partisan gridlock. On each episode of Running Wild, Grylls pairs with a celebrity for a wilderness adventure. Previous participants have included Ben Stiller and Channing Tatum. The series is in its second season on NBC.