At a rally for Kamala Harris in Detroit, Barack Obama energized the crowd by reciting Eminem’s iconic “Lose Yourself” lyrics, following a rare appearance from the rapper himself. Eminem urged voters to defend free speech and support Harris, emphasizing the stakes in Michigan’s battleground status. Obama highlighted the values of hard work and responsibility, contrasting them with Donald Trump’s leadership style. The rally also saw Obama advocating for U.S. Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin, underscoring the significant early voter turnout in Detroit, with over half of absentee ballots already returned.

Eminem took the stage to express his belief in Harris’s vision for the future, focusing on protecting fundamental freedoms. His appearance sparked enthusiasm among local fans, urging them not to remain silent in the face of political retribution. Obama built on this momentum, reflecting on Trump’s appeal to toughness but stressing that real strength lies in honesty, responsibility, and community service.

Michigan, a crucial battleground state, has seen intense campaigning from both parties ahead of the 2024 election. Obama’s support for Harris and Slotkin, who is running to fill the seat vacated by Senator Debbie Stabenow’s retirement, is seen as vital in rallying Democratic voters in a region critical to the election’s outcome. Detroit voters have already shown strong engagement, with nearly 60,000 absentee ballots returned, signaling robust early participation.

Eminem, known for his Detroit roots, rarely engages in political events but made an exception for this rally, drawing attention to Harris’s platform and inspiring his Motor City fans to take action. As the 2024 election draws closer, both Obama and Eminem stressed that the future of the country depends on participation, urging Michiganders to make their voices heard at the ballot box.