Thousands of Detroiters—including Eminem—join Obama to rally for Kamala Harris

Former President Barack Obama, Detroit rapper Eminem, and NFL Hall of Famer Calvin “Megatron” Johnson are pushing Michiganders to vote in this year’s presidential election. 

DETROIT—Detroit rapper Eminem and former President Barack Obama took the stage at the Huntington Place convention center in Detroit on Tuesday night, where they urged a crowd of more than 13,000 Michiganders to support Kamala Harris in this year’s presidential election. 

“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—and I think it’s important to use your voice,” Eminem said. “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 [Kamala] Harris supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”

Although neither Harris or her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, were in attendance this week, the rally was among the largest in Michigan since Harris launched her campaign. Another 15,000 Michiganders turned out to see both Harris and Walz speak in Detroit in August. 

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After his brief remarks, Eminem turned the microphone over to Obama, who took the stage to the beat of Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” and joked with the crowd—saying that he “noticed my palms are sweaty,” a reference to the hit song, before rapping several lines and laughing. 

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Former President Barack Obama loses himself to the music after Eminem introduces him at the Kamala Harris rally. #eminem #barackobama #detroit #detroitrally #loseyourself #fyp

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But it didn’t take long for Obama to get to the core message of this week’s campaign event: 

Absentee voting is underway in Michigan. Early voting begins this week. Election Day is less than two weeks away. And with recent polls showing that Harris and Republican Donald Trump are locked in a dead heat, there’s a lot on the line for Michiganders’ rights and freedoms, Obama told the crowd.

“The point is, if you elect [Harris] and [Walz], they will not be focused on their problems. They’ll be focused on your problems. They can see you and relate to you because they’ve lived like you and they understand that too many folks in Michigan and across the country are still struggling to pay the bills,” Obama said. “Do a little bit of homework and examine their plans. Donald Trump’s plan is to give another massive tax cut to billionaires and big corporations.”

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Obama also attacked Trump as “unfit” for a second term in office, citing recent incidents such as the town hall where Trump opted to hold an impromptu concert of sorts, swaying back and forth to various songs for about 40 minutes rather than taking questions from voters.

“If your grandpa was acting like this, you’d be worried,” Obama told the crowd. “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 star-studded event also included remarks from NFL Hall of Famer Calvin Johnson, who received thunderous applause as he threw his support behind the Harris-Walz campaign.

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Joining a line-up of Detroit’s favorites, former Lion’s wide receiver Calvin Johnson fires up the crowd at the Huntington Place Convention Center. #detroitlions #detroit #calvinjohnson #kamalaharris #rally #harriswalz #fyp

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“The people of Detroit are resilient, passionate, proud, and we know how to get a job done. Kamala Harris understands that, too,” he said. “She has the same grit, the same fighting spirit. … That’s why her campaign is built on fighting for the people—whether you’re a small business owner trying to get started, a doctor caring for your patients, or a family just getting started.”

Obama and other speakers, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, also blasted Trump for comments that he made in Detroit earlier this month, when he said it was a “developing city” and warned that “our whole country will end up being like Detroit” if Harris is elected in November.

“I know you all saw what he said about this beautiful city. He called Detroit a failure and a mess, proving he ain’t firing on all cylinders,” Whitmer said. “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.”

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Gov. Whitmer snaps a few pics in her iconic ‘Buffs’ at the rally in Detroit. #biggretch #gretchenwhitmer #buffs #detroitrally #fyp

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Other speakers at this week’s rally included US Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow, Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield, and US Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is running against Republican Mike Rogers for an open US Senate seat in this year’s election. 

During her remarks, Slotkin vowed to be part of a “supportive” US Senate for Harris’ 100-day agenda—which includes plans to lower housing, food, and child care costs for Michiganders.

“We know what we have to do. We have to elect Kamala Harris as our next president. We have to elect the first woman president in history,” Slotkin told the crowd before introducing Eminem. “And we’re going to do it because Michigan is the center of the frickin’ universe right now.” 

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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