United States President Donald Trump‘s lawyers have argued that his speech prior to the Jan. 6 riots was no different than a violent rap song, likening his words to that of Hip-Hop star and political adversary Eminem.
According to documents obtained by AllHipHop, on Monday (Jan. 27), Trump’s legal team filed an appeal to dismiss a lawsuit accusing the President of using his speech to incite the riot that occurred at the Capitol Building in Washington D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021.
In Trump’s defense, his lawyers are now arguing that his Jan. 6 speech should be protected as political expression, equating their client’s rhetoric with that of violent rap songs such as Eminem’s classic release, “’97 Bonnie & Clyde.”
Eminem attends the ‘Southpaw’ New York Premiere at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on July 20, 2015 in New York City.
Eminem
The filing, which doesn’t mention Eminem by name, points to the creative license given to Hip-Hop artists as an example of a precedent in which a person’s artistic expression is separated from their actual beliefs and conduct.
“A rapper rockets to the top of the charts for his aggressive, provocative lyrics that become wildly popular nationwide, particularly among angsty teenagers. He is ranked as one of the most controversial lyricists of all time,” the appeal reads.
“Many of his lyrics describe explicit violent acts, including gun violence, rape, and a description of the rapper drowning his wife. While at times, the rapper’s lyrics suggest that his work is not intended to encourage or endorse actual violence, other lyrics suggest the contrary.”
Republican presidential nominee, former U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a roundtable with faith leaders at Christ Chapel on October 23, 2024 in Zebulon, Georgia. Trump is campaigning across Georgia today as he and Democratic presidential nominee, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris attempt to win over swing state voters.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
The President’s lawyers also cited Trump’s calls for his supporters to protest “peacefully and patriotically” as proof of the true intent behind his words, while attempting to minimize the severity of his statements in comparison to rap lyrics.
“Nothing in President Trump’s speech even came close to the far more incendiary language that the Supreme Court has held to be protected as a matter of law,” the filing argued.
“President Trump’s January 6 speech…is properly characterized as ‘strong protests against the government and prevailing social order’ – a context that demands the highest deference to speech and protection from censorship.”
DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Filed by Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson that same year, the lawsuit against Trump also accuses him of a violation of the Ku Klux Act, which is meant to “enforce the Provisions of the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, and for other Purposes.”
Eminem has been at odds with President Trump for several years, critiquing his politics in his music and elsewhere. The rap icon also supported former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris in their respective elections against Trump.
A ruling has yet to be handed down regarded Trump’s appeal.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump speaks to members of the media during a press conference at the Mar-a-Lago Club on January 07, 2025 in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump will be sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on January 20, making him the only president other than Grover Cleveland to serve two non-consecutive terms in office.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
Leave a comment