DETROIT — Eminem, the renowned rapper from Detroit, took to the political stage on Tuesday in his hometown, addressing a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris in her presidential campaign. He made a brief speech before introducing former President Barack Obama, who also joined the event.
Eminem expressed his deep connection to Detroit and Michigan, stating, “As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever.” He encouraged the audience to use their voices and participate in the voting process, emphasizing the importance of making their opinions known without fear of backlash. He highlighted Harris’s vision for the country, where personal freedoms would be safeguarded.
After Eminem’s remarks, Obama stepped onto the stage while Eminem’s hit “Lose Yourself” played in the background. The former president humorously referenced the song’s lyrics, saying, “I noticed my palms are sweaty,” before delivering a few lines from the track, engaging the crowd further. His appearance, along with Eminem’s, comes as early voting in Michigan approaches, and Democrats are looking to generate excitement among potential voters. The rally also featured Calvin Johnson, a former wide receiver for the Lions and NFL Hall of Famer, adding more star power to the event.
The mobilization of voters in Detroit, a historical Democratic bastion, plays a crucial role in the upcoming elections, as Michigan remains one of the pivotal swing states that will influence the direction of the presidency and the balance of power in the U.S. Senate. At the rally, Democrat Elissa Slotkin joined Obama, as she campaigns against Republican Mike Rogers for a vacant Senate seat.
In his speech, Obama criticized Donald Trump, labeling him as unfit for office. He referred to a recent town hall event where Trump chose to entertain rather than engage with the audience, stating, “If your grandpa was acting like this, you’d be worried.” He continued, warning against granting unchecked power to someone like Trump, asserting that America is ready for a new direction.
Trump, who has also tried to capture the attention of Detroit voters by rallying with local rapper Trick Trick, brushed off criticism of the city. During an earlier speech to the Detroit Economic Club, he mentioned that Detroit was “developing,” implying challenges in its progress.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan responded to Trump’s comments, asserting that his remarks about Detroit being a failure were unfounded. “He called Detroit a failure and a mess, proving he ain’t firing on all cylinders,” she retorted. Whitmer urged that Trump should refrain from discussing the city if he cannot understand its values and contributions.