Kim Kardashian’s eight-year-old son, Saint West, recently found himself at the center of controversy after his YouTube channel, @TheGoatSaint, was removed following the posting of videos mocking Vice President Kamala Harris. On October 29, Saint shared two videos featuring memes critical of Harris, a native of Oakland, California. The videos included one where a cartoon character remarked they had “stepped in something unpleasant,” accompanied by an image of Harris, and another showing clips from “Saved By the Bell” labeling Harris as “Dumb,” “Stupid,” “Crazy,” and “Dangerous.”The swift removal of Saint’s channel, which had only been launched in September, suggests Kardashian’s intervention. When Saint’s channel was created, Kardashian shared a handwritten contract on her Instagram, detailing specific guidelines Saint had to follow. The agreement stated,
“I must show my mom or guardian all videos before I post them. I give permission to any grown up if mom says to delete my video for any reason.”
The contract warned Saint that if he failed to adhere to the rules, Kardashian could restrict his account’s visibility or even delete it entirely. Saint’s signature was visible at the bottom of the document, showing his agreement to his mother’s terms.The situation has brought attention to Kardashian’s approach to managing her children’s online presence. Known for her careful branding and reputation management, Kardashian’s decision to enforce this contract demonstrates her intent to set boundaries around her children’s social media use. While she has not publicly endorsed Vice President Harris’s 2024 campaign, Kardashian has shown support for Democratic candidates in past elections, including Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden. On the other hand, Kanye West, Saint’s father, has been vocal in his support of former President Donald Trump and briefly pursued his own presidential run in 2020.
The incident also highlights the challenges of managing young children’s social media interactions, particularly for high-profile parents whose children are watched by millions. Kardashian’s approach, reflected in the contract with Saint, points to her desire to balance her children’s freedom of expression with a controlled, responsible online presence. The agreement emphasizes Kardashian’s commitment to ensuring her children, despite their young age, understand the responsibility and consequences associated with public postings.
In the context of Kardashian’s larger family dynamics, Saint’s video misstep is a reminder of the contrasting political leanings within his family. Kardashian’s past support for Democratic figures and Kanye’s alignment with Trump have made their divergent political stances a topic of public interest. This division could influence Saint’s exposure to various viewpoints, though the family’s public lives are largely managed by Kardashian herself.
The YouTube incident occurred as Kardashian and her family engaged in Halloween celebrations, showcasing their creativity and flair for elaborate costumes. Saint’s older sister, North, paid homage to Vallejo-born singer-songwriter H.E.R., donning a full-body black latex outfit, reminiscent of the artist’s look during her cameo at Usher’s Super Bowl LVIII halftime show in February. Meanwhile, Kardashian opted for a unique costume herself, dressing up as Claude, the iconic albino alligator from San Francisco’s California Academy of Sciences. Her costume featured realistic full-body prosthetics, reptilian-inspired makeup, and a scaly headpiece, adding a layer of intricacy to her Halloween attire. Kardashian shared photos of her transformation on Instagram, further showcasing her connection to San Francisco, a city that also bears relevance to Vice President Harris’s political roots.
In the aftermath of Saint’s YouTube activity, many have discussed the responsibility of parents, particularly those with public personas, in supervising their children’s social media use. The incident serves as a case study for the fine line between allowing self-expression and maintaining a level of oversight to protect a child’s and family’s public image. Kardashian’s proactive approach through a written contract is a notable method, highlighting her intent to instill accountability in her children’s digital activities from an early age.
The removal of Saint’s channel, likely driven by Kardashian’s intervention, serves as a reminder of the complications celebrity children face in today’s media landscape. As Saint grows up, he, like his siblings, will have to navigate a unique world where his actions can quickly become public knowledge, drawing significant media and public attention. The family’s careful balancing of public exposure with privacy remains a key part of Kardashian’s strategy in guiding her children’s involvement in media.
Kardashian’s choice to take down Saint’s account highlights her stance on responsible social media use, even as she encourages her children to explore their interests in the public domain. Her example underscores the importance of parental involvement in guiding young users on the internet, particularly for families constantly under the public eye.
