Kanye sparks Twitter backlash as he says he shares ‘dragon energy’ with his ‘brother’ Trump

Kanye West has said US President Donald Trump is his "brother" and that the "mob" cannot make him "not love him".

The rapper, 40, was prolific on Twitter on Wednesday, earlier claiming to make more money from shoes than Michael Jordan.

He tweeted to his more than 18 million followers: "You don't have to agree with trump but the mob can't make me not love him. We are both dragon energy.

"He is my brother. I love everyone. I don't agree with everything anyone does. That's what makes us individuals. And we have the right to independent thought."

West, who has three children with his wife Kim Kardashian West, added: "For people In my life the idea of Trump is pretty much a 50 50 split but I don't tell a Hillary supporter not to support Hillary I love Hillary too."

Shortly after, the US President thanked the rapper, tweeting: "Thank you Kanye, very cool!"

Kim Kardashian, West's wife, was apparently less impressed with the tweet however, with the musician and fashion designer quickly following up his original praise with a measured clarification. 

"My wife just called me and she wanted me to make this clear to everyone. I don't agree with everything Trump does. I don't agree 100% with anyone but myself," he wrote.

Ms Kardashian later followed up with her own tweets supporting her husband and speaking out against those questioning West's mental health. 

"Now when he spoke out about Trump... Most people (including myself) have very different feelings & opinions about this. But this is HIS opinion.  I believe in people being able to have their own opinions,even if really different from mine He never said he agrees with his politics"

West, who met the then president-elect in December 2016, also tweeted to say he was neither a Democrat or a Republican.

He said: "I love when people have their own ideas. You don't have to be allowed anymore. Just be. Love who you want to love.

"That's free thought. I'm not even political. I'm not a democrat or a republican."

He followed up the comments by tweeting a picture of himself sporting a Trump 'Make American Great Again' hat. 

A master of staying in the spotlight, West last week returned to Twitter - his and Trump's favorite platform - a year after vanishing when he canceled a tour and sought treatment for a mental breakdown.