"This man can't get any cooler"— Internet reacts as Barack Obama raps Eminem's 'Lose Yourself' at Michigan rally

On October 22, Barack Obama attended the Harris-Walz campaign rally in Detroit, Michigan. The former US President took to the stage right after Detroit hip-hop legend Eminem endorsed the Democrats for the November 5 presidential election.

“I gotta say, I’ve done a lot of rallies. So, I don’t usually get nervous, but I was feeling some kind of way following Eminem,” Obama stated.

Following this, he began rapping in first person the opening verse of Eminem’s iconic 2002 theme song Lose Yourself from the semi-biographical movie 8 Mile.

“My palms are sweaty, knees weak/ Arms are heavy, vomit on my sweater already/ Mom’s spaghetti/ I’m nervous, but on the surface, I look calm and ready,” Barack rapped.

As the audience broke into loud cheers, the former political leader quipped, “I thought Eminem was going to be performing and I was going to jump out… Love me some Eminem.”

The video of the moment has now garnered traction online, earning diverse reactions from social media users. For instance, X user Michelle Brown (@jellybean616) commented on political influencer @ArtCandee's tweet on the same by writing:

“This man can’t get any cooler.”

Several others joined the conversation on the platform and shared similar reactions.

“No one on planet Earth can deliver like that man. What a speaker. Wow,” a person wrote.

“You’ve got to love a President who can rap and such, heck I still remember him jamming to Rihanna’s ‘Work’ on Jimmy Fallon. He knows how to preach, dance, and sing, and even be a motivator for all of America,” wrote another.

Others continued to laud Barack Obama’s effort in rapping Em’s Lose Yourself at a rally.

“Can you imagine being Eminem in that moment? A former President of the United States quoting you at a political rally? Must seem surreal,” a fan wrote.

“The best five or so minutes of my day: Eminem and Obama on the same stage, topped off by Obama rapping. Amazing,” one fan wrote.

“I did not have Obama raps Eminem song at a rally on my bingo card. LFG!” wrote another.

Here are a couple of more remarks praising the former President.

“This song literally got me through the FBI Academy. Hearing Obama do that is surreal and awesome,” an individual wrote.

“When it comes to speeches and campaigning, Obama is the GOAT,” wrote another.

In August 2023, Republican politician Vivek Ramaswamy performed Eminem's Lose Yourself while campaigning for himself for the 2024 presidential election at the Iowa State Fair.

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Eminem introduced Barack Obama at the Detroit rally

Detroit rap icon Eminem was in his hometown on Tuesday to endorse Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz for the upcoming 2024 presidential election. He entered the stage as his hit 2010 single Not Afraid played in the background.

“I’m here tonight for a couple of important reasons. As most of you know, the city of Detroit and my home state of Michigan mean a lot to me. And going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever and I think it’s important to use your voice. So, I’m encouraging everyone to get out and vote please,” Em began his speech.

Later, Slim Shady introduced former President Barack Obama at the campaign rally and went on to say:

“I also think that 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 would do if you make your opinion known. I think Vice President Harris supports a future for this country, where this freedom and many others will be protected and upheld. And here to tell you much more about that, President Barack Obama.”

Obama too honored the hip-hop legend by rapping the first verse of M&M’s Lose Yourself. Subsequently, he criticized Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump calling him a "grandpa" whose actions and behavior were worrisome.

He reminded the audience how Trump wasted 40 minutes at last week’s Pennsylvania town hall by turning it into an impromptu concert rather than answering questions from American voters.

Barack claimed that Trump wanted "unchecked power" and it was upon the masses to ensure that they don't get to see "an older, loonier" man with "no guardrails," adding that the nation was "ready to turn the page."

Notably, earlier this month, Trump was also in Detroit at a campaign rally with local rapper Trick Trick. He called it a “developing” city. The billionaire then addressed the Detroit Economic Club and mentioned, “The whole country will be like — you want to know the truth? It’ll be like Detroit. Our whole country will end up being like Detroit if she’s your president.”

In response, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who was also present at the Harris-Walz rally on Tuesday said that Donald Trump “ought to keep Detroit out of his mouth.”

The Detroit rally was also attended by former Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson, Michigan Senate candidate Elissa Slotkin, Detroit City Councilwoman Mary Sheffield, and Michigan Senators Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, among others.