Detroit rapper Eminem stepped into the political arena in his hometown on Tuesday, speaking briefly at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign before welcoming former President Barack Obama to the stage.
“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the entire state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And in this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever,” said Eminem, a longtime critic of former President Donald Trump. the crowd told. “And I think it’s important to use your voice. That’s why I encourage everyone to vote.”
He said people should not fear retaliation or to express their views, adding that Harris “supports a future for this country in which these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”
The Detroit rapper then introduced Obama, who took the stage to the beat of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.” The former president joked that he “noticed my palms were sweaty,” a reference to the hit song, before rapping several lines from it.
Obama and Eminem’s appearance comes just days before the Michigan elections begin. Democrats hope the star-studded event, which also included former Lions wide receiver and NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, will boost enthusiasm among voters.
Voter turnout in Detroit, long a Democratic stronghold, will be crucial in determining who wins the state in November, when Michigan is among a handful of swing states expected to determine who wins the presidency and control of the US Senate wins. Democrat Elissa Slotkin, who is facing Republican Mike Rogers for an open Senate seat, appeared alongside Obama at the meeting.
Obama attacked Trump as unfit, citing recent incidents such as the town hall where Trump opted to hold a sort of impromptu concert, swaying back and forth to various songs for about 40 minutes instead of answering voters’ questions.
“If your grandfather behaved like that, you would worry,” Obama said. “This is someone who wants unchecked power. We don’t need to see what an older, crazier Donald Trump looks like without guardrails. America is ready to turn the page.”
Trump has made his own bid for Detroit, appearing with hometown rapper Trick Trick at a rally in the city last week. Trick Trick previously collaborated with Eminem on the song “Welcome 2 Detroit.”
Obama and other speakers, including many of the state’s top Democratic leaders, capitalized on comments Trump made in Detroit earlier this month when he said it was a “developing city.”
“The whole country will be like – you want to know the truth? It will be like Detroit,” Trump said as he addressed the Detroit Economic Club. “Our whole country will end up looking like Detroit if she’s your president.”
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who spoke ahead of Eminem and Obama, snapped back on Tuesday.
“I know you all saw what he said about this beautiful city. He called Detroit a failure and a mess, which proves he’s not firing on all cylinders,” Whitmer said. ‘He has no idea what he was talking about. And you know what I think? He should keep Detroit out of his mouth.”
