Eminem promotes Kamala, Obama mocks ‘loony’ Donald Trump

Rapper Eminem backed Kamala Harris as a defender of free speech at a rally with Barack Obama, after Democratic vice- presidential candidate Tim Walz traded barbs with Elon Musk | WATCH

Rapper Eminem, right, greets former president Barack Obama, left, on stage at a campaign rally supporting Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in Detroit. Picture: AP Photo

Eminem has weighed into the final two weeks of the 2024 US election campaign by promoting Kamala Harris as a defender of basic freedoms, arguing that people should not face retribution for expressing their political views.

The rapper, who grew up in the city of Detroit in the key swing state of Michigan, introduced former president Barack Obama to the stage at a Democrat rally in his hometown, urging people to vote and “use your voice”.

“The city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me,” the rapper said. “People shouldn’t be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution or what people will do if you make your opinion known.

“I think Vice-President Harris supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”

Mr Obama took the stage and adapted the lyrics to Eminem’s Lose Yourself – one of the artist’s biggest hits – declaring that, while he didn’t usually get nervous at rallies, “I notice my palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy … I’m nervous but on the surface I look calm and ready”.

Meanwhile, Ms Harris told NBC that America was “absolutely” ready for a woman of colour to become president and dodged questions about whether sexism was a factor in why not as many men were supporting her as they did Joe Biden.

“I don’t think of it that way,” she said.

“I will never assume that anyone in our country should elect a leader based on their gender or their race.”

Earlier in the evening, Ms Harris’s running mate Tim Walz blasted Elon Musk – a key backer of Mr Trump, and the world’s richest man – as a “dipshit” in the critical blue wall state of Wisconsin.

Mr Walz was referring to the influential Republican supporter’s jubilant appearance alongside Mr Trump at a Republican rally earlier this month.

On social media, Mr Musk – who has given significant financial support to Mr Trump – later replied to Mr Walz: “You’re gonna lose, saving the American people from the torture of hearing you speak for four years was worth it”.

Mr Trump held a rally in the swing state of Greensboro, North Carolina, and earlier appeared at a roundtable geared towards reaching Latino voters in Miami where he said the US economy was better during his presidency.

“We are a nation in decline,” Mr Trump said.

“This woman is the worst … There’s something wrong with her (Harris). Honestly … she’s slow. Low IQ or something. I don’t know what the hell it is.

“We don’t need another low IQ person. We had one for four years. We don’t need another one.”

Before appearing in Michigan, Mr Obama headlined a rally in Wisconsin with Mr Walz where he cracked jokes and blasted Mr Trump’s competence and character.

“Do you think Donald Trump’s ever changed a diaper in his life?” he asked.

“Wisconsin, we do not need to see what an older, loonier Donald Trump looks like with no guardrails. America is ready to turn the page. There is absolutely no evidence that this man thinks about anybody but himself.”

It comes amid an ever-closer presidential race according to mainstream polls, which give Ms Harris a slight national edge over Mr Trump, although the two are practically tied in the critical swing states.

More than 15 million Americans have already voted across the nation, easily surpassing previous records, as both campaigns seek to encourage their supporters to vote as soon as possible.

“Don’t boo, vote,” Mr Obama said, repeating one of his campaign lines that underscores the importance of voter turnout to both campaigns.