Eminem Calls Out Vivek Ramaswamy For Using His Music On The Campaign Trail

Acclaimed rapper Eminem is calling out Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy for using his music for his political campaign.

Ramaswamy made headlines most recently for telling former CNN anchor Don Lemon that institutional racism did not exist. The presidential hopeful claimed that Black Americans “secured their freedoms” immediately after the civil war. The comments are among numerous controversial statements and policy suggestions from the burgeoning candidate.

DES MOINES, IOWA - AUGUST 12: Biotech millionaire and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy raps to Eminem's "Lose Yourself" at the conclusion of one of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds' "Fair-Side Chats" at the Iowa State Fair on August 12, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls are visiting the fair, a tradition in one of the first states that will test candidates with the 2024 caucuses. — DES MOINES, IOWA – AUGUST 12: Biotech millionaire and Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy raps to Eminem’s “Lose Yourself” at the conclusion of one of Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds’ “Fair-Side Chats” at the Iowa State Fair on August 12, 2023 in Des Moines, Iowa. Republican and Democratic presidential hopefuls are visiting the fair, a tradition in one of the first states that will test candidates with the 2024 caucuses. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

The candidate recently broke into rapping Eminem’s hit track “Lose Yourself” at the Iowa State Fair. The viral video resulted in a cease and desist letter sent to Ramswamy from Eminem’s legal team through licensor BMI, insisting that the candidate never use Eminem’s music throughout his campaign ever again.

@cnn

GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy was seen rapping to an Eminem song at the Iowa State Fair. The event in Des Moines has been a quintessential stop on the presidential campaign trail. #CNN #news #vivekramaswamy #eminem #2024 #gop

♬ original sound – CNN

The legal action from Eminem was confirmed by several news sources, with CNN publishing the legal document sent to the Ramaswamy campaign.

“This letter serves as notice to you …that BMI has received a communication from Marshall B. Mathers, III, professionally known as Eminem, objecting to the Vivek Ramaswamy campaign’s use of Eminem’s musical compositions…”

Letter obtained by @aaronpellish & @annamajaCNN pic.twitter.com/hJsC2iW3Sn

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 28, 2023

The Ramaswamy Rhetoric

The Republican presidential hopeful remains a polarizing figure in politics. Ramaswamy has frequently espoused homophobic and transphobic views, and has stated support for the widespread use of fossil fuels and the abolition of numerous government agencies. Among these are the FBI, the IRS, and more. He has additionally vowed to pardon former U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump was impeached twice during his presidency, and faces an ongoing slew of criminal charges and arrests for sexual assault, election interference, tax evasion, and more. Outside of these beliefs, Ramaswamy additionally continues to state that he believes in the concept of “reverse racism” against white people. Critical race theorists and historians have long refuted this theory, as white people have never encountered racism at an institutional level in the United States.

@therecount

The other candidates *really* can’t stand Vivek Ramaswamy. This might be why. #fyp #news #politics #political #politicalnews #politicaltiktok #vivekramaswamy #2024election #ramaswamy2024 #vivekramaswamy2024 #2024president #republicandebate

♬ original sound – therecount

These views were exposed to a new audience when the candidate spoke to CNN’s Don Lemon. Lemon’s fact checking response allegedly led to his firing from the network.

Remember when Vivek Ramaswamy came on CNN and totally LIED about American history of slavery and Don Lemon was fired for correcting him…pic.twitter.com/pjECQEgrlM

— TheAverageBlackMan™ (@TheAvgBlackMan) August 27, 2023

Many feel that Ramaswamy’s views are especially damaging to communities of color in the U.S. given his own Indian heritage.

Don Lemon showed who Vivek Ramaswamy is and what his goal was from the start. Screaming lies about black history, pushing conspiracy theories all while claiming to be not be a racist because he's south asian and his parents are immigrants. https://t.co/3QE89Eo6Sl

— Celestial Spirit ???????????? ???? ???? (@Supernalwings) August 23, 2023

Social Media Reactions To Eminemgate

Many fans of the rapper were supportive of his legal action against Ramaswamy, and felt that there needs to be more restrictions surrounding politicians using artists’ music in their campaigns.

Exactly, end the Republicans for me

— steven ❀ (@arianaunext) August 28, 2023

Eminem's request to remove his music from an agreement with BMI comes in response to his songs being used without authorization by a political candidate. It's important to respect artists' rights and control over their creative work.

Fully support EM..

— ChrisHazeArts.eth / .tez #MUFC ???????? (@PrinceChrisMUFC) August 28, 2023

Elsewhere, supporters of Ramaswamy accused Eminem of being “a Karen” about it. The name “Karen” has become synonymous for racist white women who levy often false allegations against people of color.