LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eminem is facing criticism for controversial comments about former president Donald Trump. In a recent interview, the rapper strongly stated that the former president was effectively "brainwashing" his devoted followers into believing in his concern for them.
The rapper, whose real name is Marshall Mathers, also raised the question of how people could connect with a billionaire who has never experienced hardship. A video clip from Eminem's interview where he discussed Trump has gained significant attention online. The rapper's outspoken remarks have provoked strong responses from members of the Republican party.
What did Eminem say about Donald Trump?
The video initially surfaced on Monday, August 7, shared by a TikTok user with the handle @rising_path. The video gained traction through numerous shares.
In the clip, he stated "Watching him play to his base that thinks that he cares about people and it's actually the people that he cares about the f*****g least." He further questioned, "If you are talking about his core being, you know, a majority white middle class, what I do not understand is how the f**k do you feel like you can relate to a billionaire who has never known struggle his entire life."
Eminem also boldly stated that Trump was actively brainwashing his supporters. "I will agree on this, he has a way with words. And if you’re in his base…let’s say you attend his rallies or you watch him on TV, you hear him talking all this s**t, there’s part of me that understands, like, alright, he’s somehow still got them because he’s brainwashing them into believing that something great is going to happen. Nothing’s happening," he said.
'Some punk from Detroit doesn't speak for Patriots of this country'
People took to the comments section of the video shared on X, with many Republicans angered by the rapper's remarks. A Trump supporter wrote, "Lmao. Eminem started his career being called a fraud when he wasn’t. Now he’s going to end his career claiming he isn’t a fraud when he is. Trump 2024!"
An outraged Republican added, "Have in common???? Love for our country that's what! Some punk from Detroit doesn't speak for Patriots of this country!" while a third wrote, "Eminem is an extremely rich man himself who is obviously out of touch with middle-class Americans."
A user addressed the rapper, asking, "So, dearest Em, please detail what democrats have done for Detroit? It’s thriving? Your education went well there? Graduated high school? Mom is doing well? Dad is in the picture?"
Another defended Trump, saying, "The false premise that people like Trump's ideas and actions because they like Trump is what puts liberals deep in the weeds. We like Trump because we agree on the right ideas and actions for America and because he produced what he campaigned on to the best of his ability."
This isn't the first time Eminem has dissed Trump. In 2017, at the BET Hip-Hop Awards, a video surfaced of Eminem rapped about the Republican shortly after Trump was elected President. In the rap, Eminem started by praising Obama and then proceeded to criticize Trump.
The lyrics where, "But we better give Obama props/ cause what we’ve got in office right now is a kamikaze that’ll cause a probable nuclear holocaust." Trump has not yet publicly acknowledged Eminem and his remarks.