During a campaign rally for Kamala Harris in Detroit, Barack Obama captivated the crowd by rapping Eminem’s iconic song “Lose Yourself.” Eminem, who performed before Obama, emphasized the importance of voting and using one’s voice, stating, “I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution for expressing their opinions.”
Obama began his speech by admitting, “I gotta say, I have done a lot of rallies, so I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem.” He then delivered the well-known lines from “Lose Yourself,” joking that he initially thought he would be a guest performer alongside Eminem. “Love me some Eminem,” he added lightheartedly.
Known for his love of music, Obama regularly shares playlists featuring both contemporary artists and classic musicians. His summer 2024 selections included songs from Beyoncé and Tyla, along with tracks by Nick Drake and Pharoah Sanders.
In his address, Obama took aim at Donald Trump, reflecting on the former president’s claims about the 2020 election. He recalled the chaos caused by Trump’s assertions of voter fraud, saying, “Because Donald Trump was willing to spread lies about voter fraud in Michigan, protesters came down, banged on the windows, shouting, ‘Let us in. Stop the count.’” He criticized Trump’s focus on himself, questioning his suitability for the presidency and likening his behavior to that of an out-of-control grandparent.
Obama also referenced a recent stunt by Trump in which he pretended to work at a McDonald’s kitchen that was closed to the public. He contrasted this with Kamala Harris’s genuine experience working at McDonald’s during college to support her expenses, highlighting the authenticity of her experience.
Tim Walz, who also spoke at the rally, criticized Trump’s actions as “cosplaying” and emphasized concerns about freedom of speech, noting Trump’s remarks about potentially using military force against dissenters.