Eminem's Critical Views On Donald Trump Resurface Ahead Of The 2024 Election

Eminem's views on Donald Trump have become a talking point in the lead-up to November's election after video footage resurfaced of the rapper criticizing the former president. In the undated clip, which previously went viral in August 2023, Eminem accused Trump of "brainwashing" his dedicated supporters "into thinking something great is going to happen. Nothing's happening." The video resurfaced this week on X, formerly Twitter, where as of press time it had garnered more than 1 million views and sparked a spirited exchange of opinions between Trump's supporters and detractors.

As the Republican nominee, Trump is vying for a second term in the White House, after his first tenure concluded with a 2020 election defeat to President Joe Biden. Trump is expected to face Vice President Kamala Harris following Biden's announcement in July that he will not be seeking reelection. With the presidential race heating up, countless celebrities and public figures' thoughts on the candidates have become talking points in recent months.

Eminem, whose given name is Marshall Bruce Mathers III, hasn't been shy in sharing his opinion of Trump over the years. Newsweek has put together a list of statements the "Lose Yourself" rapper has made about the onetime real estate mogul. Newsweek has contacted representatives of Trump and Eminem via email for comment.

Key Takeaways

'Brainwashing' Accusations

In the clip that recently resurfaced on social media, Eminem expressed frustration regarding Trump as he questioned the former president's unwavering supporters. "When I start talking about Trump, I get too flustered in my head," the star said. "And the s*** that I want to say—there's too many things I want to say at once. So sometimes I start talking and I don't... I'm not able to convey the message the right way because I just get flustered and frustrated."

He continued, "Watching him play to his base that thinks that he cares about them—and it's actually the people that he cares about the f****** least. If you're talking about his core being, a majority white middle class, what I don't understand is how in the f*** do you feel like you relate to a billionaire who has never known struggle his entire f****** life?" His words reflect a deep concern about the impact of Trump's rhetoric on his supporters.

Fiery Freestyle

In October 2017, less than a year after Trump's inauguration, Eminem took aim at the then-president by delivering a blistering attack in the form of a freestyle rap called "The Storm" at the BET Hip Hop Awards. During the four-and-a-half-minute track, Eminem called Trump a "racist," criticizing the Republican's policies and campaign promises. To drive his feelings home, Eminem rapped that "we f****** hate Trump."

In his rap, he famously remarked, "It's the calm before the storm right here," as he laid out his grievances against Trump. This performance was pivotal in galvanizing opposition to Trump among Eminem's fanbase and beyond, showcasing the rapper's willingness to confront political issues head-on.

Waiting for a Response

Weeks after his freestyle had garnered international headlines, Eminem expressed shock at the fact that he didn't get a public response from Trump, who at that time had become known for lashing out at his detractors. Making an appearance on his Shade 45 SiriusXM channel, Eminem said of Trump's silence: "I feel like he's not paying attention to me. I was kinda waiting for him to say something, and for some reason, he didn't say anything."

Erasing any questions over whether his feelings on Trump had changed, the hip-hop star quipped: "I can't stand that mother******." This statement further solidified Eminem's long-standing criticism of Trump, indicating that he believed Trump's actions and policies were detrimental to many Americans.

Expressing Regret

Almost one year later, in August 2018, Eminem expressed regret over the freestyle, as he addressed the aftermath on his track "The Ringer." He rapped, "If I could go back, I'd at least reword it and say I empathize with the people this evil serpent sold the dream to that he's deserted," before stating that he saw his fanbase shrink following the freestyle.

Eminem further stated that at the request of "Agent Orange," Secret Service agents interviewed him, rapping: "