It looks like George W. Bush and Kanye West have buried the hatchet—at least for now.
In a taped interview on NBC's "Today" show, the often-impulsive rapper told Matt Lauer that he now regrets having said after Hurricane Katrina that Bush "doesn't care about black people."
"I would tell George Bush: In my moment of frustration, I didn't have the grounds to call him a racist," West said. "I believe that in a situation of high emotion like that, we as human beings don't always choose the right words."
[Photo: Bush calls memorable Katrina image a 'huge mistake']
In Bush's new memoir, "Decision Points," Bush calls the moment "disgusting" and the lowest ebb of his presidency.
Appearing separately on "Today," Bush, upon seeing a video of West's remarks, replied, "I appreciate that." But he added: "It wasn't just Kanye West who was talking like that during Katrina. I cited him as an example."
[Photos: Iconic images of President George W. Bush]
Asked if he forgives West, Bush said "absolutely."
"I'm not a hater. I don't hate Kanye West," he said. "But 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 the equality of race."
It's a little unclear how sorry West really is. He has said repeatedly over the last week that he's "empathetic" toward Bush--but the rapper took to Twitter on Tuesday to criticize NBC. He said (in all capital letters) that Lauer "tried to force my answers."
[Photos: Hauting images of Hurricane Katrina]
He continued: "It was very brutal, and I came there with only positive intent"
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