Former President Barack Obama attempted to rap on stage Tuesday after being introduced by Eminem at a rally in Detroit.
Eminem took the stage and took a subtle swipe at former President Donald Trump, voicing his support for Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and saying she wasn’t seeking “retaliation.”
He then gave way to Obama, who admitted he felt “nervous” about having to follow the Real Slim Shady.
“I felt like I was following Eminen in some way,” Obama said. “Now I noticed that my palms are sweaty, my knees are weak, my arms are heavy, there’s already vomit on my sweater, Mom’s spaghetti.”
The crowd started screaming when they realized Obama was rapping to Eminem’s 2002 hit, Lose Yourself.
“I’m nervous, but on the surface I was calm and ready. To drop bombs, but he keeps forgetting,” he said to more shouting, talking out the beat into the microphone.
“I thought Eminem was going to perform and I was going to stand out,” Obama admitted after completing the rap.
Former President Barack Obama knocked during a rally in Detroit on Tuesday evening after being introduced by Eminem
Eminem, for his part, wore a khaki ball cap and jacket and gave a low-key introduction after previously accusing Trump of “brainwashing” his supporters 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.
“As we go 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,” said the rapper.
“I also don’t think people should be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people worry about retaliation of what people will do if you express your opinion,” Eminem continued.
Trump has previously promised to be the “retribution” for his supporters.
“I believe Vice President Harris supports a future for this country in which these and many other freedoms will be protected and upheld,” he said. “And I want to tell you a lot more about that, President Barack Obama,” Eminem said to loud cheers.
The two hugged on stage before Eminem left – with Lose Yourself playing as the ex-president entered.
Former President Barack Obama (left) hugs Eminem (right) after the Detroit rapper introduced the former president Tuesday night during a rally in support of Vice President Kamala Harris in the Motor City
Detroit-based rapper Eminem pumped his first as he walked onstage to introduce former President Barack Obama during a rally Tuesday night in support of Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris
During his speech, Obama continued to criticize Trump, as he has done since heading solo to the University of Pittsburgh earlier this month.
“It’s good to be back in Michigan, good to be back in the Motor City,” the ex-president said.
“I heard there was another rally Friday night, but it was a little smaller than this one,” he added, clearly trying to get under Trump’s shoes.
Trump gathered at the Huntington Place convention center downtown on Friday evening after insulting the city several times.
‘The whole country will say: do you want to know the truth? It will be like Detroit,” Trump said at the Detroit Economic Club earlier this month. “Our whole country will end up looking like Detroit if she’s your president.”
Trump’s rally ended up being more memorable for what he didn’t say than for what he did — as his microphone went dead for more than 15 minutes.
Ahead of Obama and Eminem’s appearances at the same venue, Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a Democratic Senate hopeful, said 12,000 people attended — with paramedics being called sporadically because borders were so tight.
Obama continued to mock Trump for selling products during his presidential election campaign.
“I mean, who sells merchandise when they’re running for president? He’s trying to sell you gold sneakers,” Obama noted. “He’s trying to sell you a $100,000 watch. It says it’s made in Switzerland, but no one really knows.”
“My favorite is the Trump Bible,” the ex-president said with a laugh, insinuating that it was probably not made in the US. ‘He’s Mr. Tough Guy on China, unless he can make a few bucks.”
The former Democratic president also criticized Trump for some of his recent antics.
‘He will give approximately two and a half hour speeches. Just a word salad,” Obama said. “You don’t know what he’s saying.”
‘He recently had a meeting at the town hall. I’ve had many town hall meetings and the point is you have to listen and then answer your constituents’ questions. After about 45 minutes you just say, “You know what? I don’t feel like answering questions anymore,” Obama said. “And then he just played half an hour of music.”
“He’s just standing there waving at Ave Maria and YMCA,” the ex-president continued. “Can you imagine if Elissa, Gretchen or I did that?”
He referred to Slotkin and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
“Now I’ll say maybe our playlist is better,” he laughed.
“I would have Lose Yourself there,” Obama added.