Former President Barack Obama attempted to rap on stage Tuesday after Eminem introduced him at a rally in Detroit.
Eminem took the stage and took a subtle swipe at former President Donald Trump, expressing his support for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and saying she would not seek “retaliation.”
He then made way for Obama, who admitted he felt “nervous” about having to follow the Real Slim Shady.
“I felt like I was following Eminen,” Obama said. “Now I realized that my palms are sweaty, my knees are weak, my arms are heavy, there is already vomit on my sweater, mom’s spaghetti.”
The crowd started screaming when they realized Obama was rapping Eminem’s 2002 hit, Lose Yourself.
‘I’m nervous, but on the surface I was calm and prepared. To throw bombs but he keeps forgetting,’ he said amid more shouts, while he articulated the rhythm into the microphone.
“I thought Eminem was going to perform and I was going to jump,” Obama admitted after finishing the rap.
Former President Barack Obama rapped at a rally Tuesday night in Detroit after being introduced by Eminem.
For his part, Eminem wore a khaki cap and jacket and gave a low-key performance after previously accusing Trump of “brainwashing” his followers and being a “racist.”
“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the entire state of Michigan mean a lot to me,” the 8 Mile star said.
“Heading into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever and I think it’s important to use your voice, so I encourage everyone to get out and vote please,” the rapper said.
“I also think that people should not be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retaliation for what they will do if you make your opinion known,” Eminem continued.
Trump has previously promised to be “retribution” for his supporters.
“I believe Vice President Harris supports a future for this country in which these freedoms and many others are protected and defended,” he said. “And I’m here to tell you a lot more about that, President Barack Obama,” Eminem said to loud applause.
The two embraced on stage before Eminem left, with Lose Yourself playing as the former president entered.
Former President Barack Obama (left) hugs Eminem (right) after the Detroit rapper introduced the former president at a rally supporting Vice President Kamala Harris Tuesday night in the Motor City.
Detroit-based rapper Eminem took his first hit while taking the stage to introduce former President Barack Obama at a rally Tuesday night in support of Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris.
Throughout his speech, Obama continued to attack Trump as he has done since he came out alone earlier this month at the University of Pittsburgh.
“It’s good to be back in Michigan, it’s good to be back in the Motor City,” the former president said.
“I heard there was another rally here Friday night, but it was a little smaller than this one,” he added, clearly trying to spite Trump.
Trump rallied at the Huntington Place convention center on Friday night after insulting the city on several occasions.
‘The whole country will say: do you want to know the truth? It’s going to be like Detroit,” Trump said at the Detroit Economic Club earlier this month. “Our whole country is going to end up being like Detroit if she’s its president.”
Trump’s rally ended up being memorable more for what he didn’t say than what he did: His microphone malfunctioned for more than 15 minutes.
Before Obama and Eminem appeared at the same venue, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic Senate candidate, said 12,000 people attended, and paramedics were called sporadically because lockdowns were so strict.
Obama continued to mock Trump for selling products during his presidential run.
‘I mean, who sells products when they’re running for president? He’s trying to sell you gold sneakers,” Obama said. He’s trying to sell you a $100,000 watch. He says it’s made in Switzerland, but no one really knows.
“My favorite is the Trump Bible,” the former president said with a laugh, hinting that it was probably not made in the United States. “He’s the tough guy in China, except when he can make a few dollars.”
The former Democratic president also criticized Trump for some of his recent antics.
‘He will give speeches of about two and a half hours. Just a word salad,” Obama said. “You don’t know what the hell he’s saying.”
The other day he had a meeting at the town hall. I have had many public meetings and the point is that you are supposed to listen and then answer the questions of your constituents. About 45 minutes in, you just say, ‘You know what? I don’t feel like answering questions anymore,'” Obama said. “And then he just played music for half an hour.”
“He’s up there swaying to the beat of Ave Maria and YMCA,” the former president continued. ‘Can you imagine if Elissa or Gretchen or I did that?’
He was referring to Slotkin and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“Now I will say that our playlist could be better,” he laughed.
“I would have Lose Yourself in there,” Obama added.