Students Respond to Eminem’s Trump Diss

By Lara Onuk and Aisha Siddiqui

The rapper Eminem struck out at President Donald Trump in a video titled “The Storm” that first aired on the BET Hip Hop Awards on October 6. In this freestyle rap video, he accuses the president of hypocrisy, racism, disrespect of military veterans and more within five minutes.

He also had criticized President Trump for his responses and actions towards the recent violence in Charlottesville, the mass shooting in Las Vegas, as well as the devastation in Puerto Rico due to hurricane Maria.

“Eminem could have taken a more respectful approach in commenting about our nation’s president. I understand that he has the freedom of speech but at the same time he could have expressed it in a different way” says Daniel Daly, freshman.

With support from Lebron James, football quarterback Colin Kaepernick who tweeted “I appreciate you @Eminem” and many others, Eminem said he hopes to change the mind of any fan of his who is a Trump supporter with this video.

Students had mixed reviews of the rap.

“Even if I do not like someone I do believe in universal respect,” said Christina Silvestri, freshman.

“He may be our president but he will never be mine… sexist, transphobic, and racist people are not allowed to be my president,” said another freshman, Kendra Levundusky.  “Although Eminem should have been a bit more respectful, I think the message is clear.  He could have been more appropriate with how he phrased what he believes in, in a more mature and logical way,” she adds.

For someone who is fond of President Trump, this video might primarily not be for you. “I think Trump is a great man… he is doing a great job in my opinion,” says Cole Monisera, junior.

Eminem had a strong powerful message and “exercised his right to freedom of speech which I respect because he spoke out on a man who isn’t leading America in the best way,” says Precious Obidigbo, senior.