Obama Calls Kanye a 'Jackass' After VMAs Rant

Kanye West's actions at this year's MTV Video Music Awards has become such a hot topic that even President Obama is weighing in. The commander in chief was overheard calling West a "jackass" for storming the stage during singer Taylor Swift's acceptance speech and proclaiming that Beyonce should have have won instead. President Obama was finishing up an interview when he made the off the record comment. ABC journalist Terry Moran, who was in the room following his interview with the president, leaked the news via Twitter.

"Pres. Obama just called Kanye West a jackass' for his outburst at VMAs when Taylor Swift won. Now THAT'S presidential," Moran tweeted. The news spread like wildfire after Moran's over 1 million followers viewed the post. Moran's comment was later deleted and ABC issued an apology for the post.

<a href="http://www.mtv.com/ontv/vma/2009/" target="_blank">Kanye West Storms The VMA Stage</a>

Kanye West Storms The VMA Stage

"In the process of reporting on remarks by President Obama that were made during a CNBC interview, ABC News employees prematurely tweeted a portion of those remarks that turned out to be from an off-the-record portion of the interview," the statement read. "This was done before our editorial process had been completed. That was wrong. We apologize to the White House and CNBC and are taking steps to ensure that it will not happen again."

Ironically, West issued his third apology to Swift during the premier of the 'Jay Leno Show' Monday. Looking somber in all black clothing, the Chicago-native's became emotional when asked what his mother, who is deceased, would've have thought of his rant. West acknowledged that he is still dealing with the pain of losing his mother, who he was very close to. He has decided to take some time off to address his issues.

Listen to the audio here.