Lauer Interviews Kanye West on TODAY, 11/11

In an interview to air tomorrow on NBC's "Today" Matt Lauer sat down with Kanye West to discuss his reaction to what George W. Bush described as one of the worst moments in his presidency.  In his new book Decision Points, and in an interview with Lauer, Bush talked candidly about how West's remarks at the 2005 NBC Katrina telethon affected him.

Bush told Lauer, "He called me a racist... I didn't appreciate it then.  I don't appreciate it now.  It's one thing to say, 'I don't appreciate the way he's handled his business.'  It's another thing to say, 'This man's a racist.'  I resent it, it's not true, and it was one of the most disgusting moments in my Presidency."
  
In the taped interview, West told Lauer, "I would tell George Bush in my moment of frustration that I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist. But I believe that in a situation of high emotion, like that, we as human beings don't always choose the right words. "

Bush responded in a live interview on "Today" this morning: "I appreciate that. It wasn't just Kanye West who was talking like that during Katrina. I cited him as an example. I cited others as an example as well. And, I appreciate that.

Lauer asked, "Does your faith allow you to forgive Kanye West?"
 
Bush responded, "Absolutely. Of course it does.  I'm not a hater. I didn't hate Kanye West. But, I was talking about an environment in which people really just say things that hurt. Nobody wants to be called a racist if, in your heart, you believe in equality of race."
[Interview online at: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/35133959]

The interview with West will air tomorrow, Thursday, November 11 on "Today."  In response to West's recent Twitter remarks, "Today's" statement follows:

"We look forward to airing Matt Lauer's interview with Kanye West tomorrow on 'Today.'"  

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