Eminem, Obama Rally for Kamala Harris in Detroit

Detroit’s own Eminem took the stage at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign, endorsing her candidacy and firing up the crowd ahead of Michigan’s early voting.

The rapper, a longtime critic of former President Donald Trump, made a rare political appearance Tuesday night, underscoring the importance of his home state in the upcoming election.

“As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever,” Eminem told the crowd. “And I think it’s important to use your voice. So I’m encouraging everybody to get out and vote.” He praised Harris for standing up for the freedoms he believes are under threat, stressing the urgency of making voices heard.

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In a surprise twist, Eminem then introduced former President Barack Obama to the beat of his iconic song “Lose Yourself,” with Obama humorously referencing the track by saying, “I noticed my palms are sweaty,” before rapping a few lines from the song to the crowd’s delight.

The star-studded rally, which also featured NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, was designed to rally enthusiasm among Detroit’s voters, a key Democratic stronghold in the battleground state of Michigan. With voter turnout crucial in determining not only the presidency but also control of the U.S. Senate, Obama took aim at Trump, casting him as unfit for office and highlighting his unpredictable behavior.

“If your grandpa was acting like this, you’d be worried,” Obama said, directly attacking Trump’s antics at a recent town hall where he spent 40 minutes swaying to music instead of engaging voters. “This is somebody who wants unchecked power. We do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guardrails. America’s ready to turn the page.”

The rally’s energy contrasted sharply with Trump’s own recent appearance in Detroit, where he appeared alongside local rapper Trick Trick. Trump stirred controversy with comments suggesting that if Harris became president, “Our whole country will end up being like Detroit.”

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who also spoke at the rally, fiercely defended the city, telling the crowd, “He called Detroit a failure and a mess, proving he ain’t firing on all cylinders. He doesn’t have a clue what the hell he was talking about. And you know what I think? He ought to keep Detroit out of his mouth.”

As the countdown to Election Day accelerates, the Democrats hope the combined star power of Eminem, Obama, and other Michigan leaders will galvanize Detroit voters in a state critical to both the presidential race and the battle for an open Senate seat.