Kanye West APOLOGIZES For Calling Bush A Racist, Blasts Matt Lauer (VIDEO)

Kanye West regrets saying that George W. Bush doesn't care about black people--a post-Katrina claim that marked the low point of Bush's presidency.

"I would tell George Bush in my moment of frustration, I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist," he told Matt Lauer on Tuesday, for a pre-taped segment of 'Today.' "I believe that in a situation of high emotion like that we as human beings don't always choose the right words."

Bush reacted to Kanye's apology in a live interview Wednesday on 'Today,' saying he "appreciated" the rapper's words (scroll down for video).

"I'm not a hater," Bush said. "I don't hate Kanye West. I was talking about an environment in which people were willing to say things that hurt. Nobody wants to be called a racist if in your heart you believe in equality of races."

Kanye and Bush may have buried the hatchet, but Kanye has redirected his anger toward his 'Today' show treatment, Lauer in particular for playing footage of his VMA stage storming incident while he was talking about the former president. He wrote in a series of tweets:

WATCH:

Comments

[KatieAnnieOakley]

08:57 AM on 11/16/2010

Looks like little Kanye wants the $arah Palin treatment... don't ask unpleasant questions!

[Nicky Styx]

09:30 PM on 11/15/2010

Seems like he apologizes for something new every day. If he was really sorry for his behavior he would have to apologize much less. I'm not buying.

[HarpoSnarx]

09:16 PM on 11/15/2010

Apologies to all white millionaires . . . wanted to spare you and your minions the browbeating efforts.

[phredralf]

07:31 PM on 11/15/2010

You were right the first time Kanye.

[mj14tg10]

07:09 PM on 11/15/2010

The apology that Kanye West gave was nice, but of course didn't spark any controversy. He had to find another way to get his name out there in the media by attacking Lauer. You've got to give him credit..mission accomplished. We're all sitting here commenting on his actions as we speak! We may not all agree with it, but you can't deny he deserves his fame.

[rview]

05:09 PM on 11/15/2010

He said it himself. The apology only came because he's been called a racist. Now's all clear.

[sydfynch]

04:51 PM on 11/15/2010

waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. What a frickin baby.

[tiredofpc]

04:03 PM on 11/15/2010

Does he want some cheese with that w&ine?

[Mike Clark II]

03:41 PM on 11/15/2010

give the man credit. he makes great music, but sometimes, he is really self centered

[R U Sirius]

03:40 PM on 11/15/2010

'S a B!TCH bein' famous, Dawg!

[Craig Turpin]

11:36 AM on 11/15/2010

Kanye West isn't being labeled as a racist... HE IS A RACIST.

[iuriggs6]

10:07 AM on 11/15/2010

West is so worthless......

[ApolloniaCreed]

12:52 PM on 11/15/2010

I'd venture a guess he "worth" more than you...

[iuriggs6]

03:44 PM on 11/15/2010

Yes he is but my wife and I both make a fine living and neither of us are idiots...

[stevi]

09:59 AM on 11/15/2010

Kanye was unable to construct a coherent sentence during that interview. Kanye should never do interviews, ever! Matt is not brutal and Kanye is not articulate.

[Philly219]

06:37 AM on 11/15/2010

Kanye is still stuck in his adolesence - he misses his mom and he has been grieving in public. Some therapy is called for, not interviews.

[gloriousbeing]

07:53 PM on 11/15/2010

This!

[DB C00PER]

06:21 AM on 11/15/2010

Let me just add that West could have done better to send a written letter of apology to the President himself.