Entertainment TV How Kim Kardashian Supported Kanye West Through Controversy, from Trump to Twitter Rants Kim Kardashian was always there to defend her husband By Aurelie Corinthios Updated on February 19, 2021 04:15 PM Share Tweet Pin Email Trending Videos 01 of 09 POWER COUPLE Garguibo/SplashNews.com If there's one thing Kanye West knows how to do, it's make headlines. And though they went through ups and downs over the years, sources told PEOPLE that Kim Kardashian always did her best to support West when he stirred up controversy — even though it could be challenging. "Does Kim agree with everything Kanye does and says? No, absolutely not," one source said. "But does she stand by him? Always. They always have each other's backs and will always go to bat for one another." Kim filed for divorce on Feb. 19, 2021. Here, a look back at the times she publicly stood up for her man. 02 of 09 ASKING FOR COMPASSION Kanye West, Kim Kardashian West. After husband West posted a series of alarming tweets in July 2020, including since-deleted claims about himself and his family, Kardashian asked fans for "compassion" as she publicly addressed her husband's bi-polar diagnosis. West had tweeted allegations that Kardashian and her mom Kris Jenner had tried to "lock him up," and then claimed that he had been considering divorcing his wife. In response, Kardashian addressed the news in a lengthy note posted to her Instagram Story. "As many of you know, Kanye has bi-polar disorder," she began. "Anyone who has this or has a loved one in their life who does, knows how incredibly complicated and painful it is to understand. I've never spoken publicly about how this has affected us at home because I am very protective of our children and Kanye's right to privacy when it comes to his health. But today, I feel like I should comment on it because of the stigma and misconceptions about mental health." "Those that understand mental illness or even compulsive behavior know that the family is powerless unless the member is a minor," she said. "People who are unaware or far removed from this experience can be judgmental and not understand that the individual themselves have to engage in the process of getting help no matter how hard family and friends try." "I understand Kanye is subject to criticism because he is a public figure and his actions at times can cause strong opinions and emotions," she continued. "He is a brilliant but complicated person who on top of being an artist and a black man, who experienced the painful loss of his mother, and has to deal with the pressure and isolation that is heightened by his bi-polar disorder. Those who are close with Kanye know his heart and understand his words sometimes do not align with his intentions." "Living with bi-polar disorder does not diminish or invalidate his dreams and his creative ideas, no matter how big or unobtainable they may feel to some. That is part of his genius and as we have all witnessed, many of his dreams have come true," she wrote. "We as a society talk about giving grace to the issue of mental health as a whole, however we should also give it to the individuals who are living with it in times when they need it the most. I kindly ask that the media and public give us the compassion and empathy that is needed so that we can get through this. Thank you for those who have expressed concern for Kanye's well-being and for your understanding." 03 of 09 PRICKLY POLITICS Drew Angerer/Getty West's past public allegiance to President Donald Trump has been met with backlash, but Kardashian had at times defended her husband's right to express his own opinion. "Most people (including myself) have very different feelings & opinions about this," she tweeted in 2018. "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." 04 of 09 TRYING TO GAIN CONTROL Kim Kardashian West and Kanye West. Matt Baron/Shutterstock In 2018, Kardashian playfully responded to her husband on social media when the rapper posted a series of erratic tweets, but a source close to the situation told PEOPLE it was an attempt to take charge. "Kim is trying to control him and the situation, but he can't be controlled," said the source about the couple. "She's trying her best to support him on social media and show a different side of things, but it's just not working." Added the source: "He genuinely believes he's God and a genius and that he can do everything on his own. He has a great love for Kim, but in his mind he doesn't think Kim is a genius, and he's telling her he knows what he's doing." 05 of 09 BY HIS SIDE NBC While she didn't comment on West's surprise pro-Trump rant during the September 2018 Saturday Night Live premiere, Kardashian was on hand to support his performance from the audience with the couple's daughter North, plus sister Kourtney Kardashian and Scott Disick. 06 of 09 "OUT OF THE SUNKEN PLACE" Splash News Kardashian has also defended West's explosive Twitter sprees, slamming reports citing mental health issues. "He's a free thinker, is that not allowed in America? Because some of his ideas differ from yours you have to throw in the mental health card? That's just not fair. He's actually out of the sunken place when he's being himself which is very expressive," she tweeted in April 2018, referencing the 2017 horror film Get Out. 07 of 09 NO. 1 FAN Def Jam Records On "Wouldn't Leave," the fourth track of West's album Ye, the rapper addressed his infamous declaration that slavery was a choice, claiming his wife called him in panic when she found out. Kardashian has said she cried when she first heard the song, admitting it depicted "a lot of what we went through." "I know my husband has the best intentions," she said. "He has the biggest heart. I know his heart, so I know he'll always have that chance to explain himself when the time is right. I think he explained it well in the song." 08 of 09 RIDE OR DIE SPW/SplashNews.com When rapper and songwriter Rhymefest accused West of abandoning his hometown of Chicago and a local non-profit organization named in honor of his late mother, Kardashian came for him. "I have and will always applaud any efforts to give back to the community. To fight for justice and to help uplift the youth. But I will never tolerate someone who was close to Kanye who attempts to use his late mother's name to publicly shame him while pretending to do good," she tweeted. "I will always ride for my man!" 09 of 09 FORWARD THINKER Johnny Nunez/WireImage "Kanye will never run in the race of popular opinion and we know that and that's why I love him and respect him," she tweeted in 2018. "And in a few years when someone else says the same exact thing but they aren't labeled the way he is and you will all praise them! Kanye is years ahead of his time."