What if Eminem decided to take a page from Donald Trump’s playbook and run for president in 2028? While the idea might initially seem far-fetched, a compelling case for his candidacy has been made by two journalists, Jay Caspian Kang and Tyler Austin Harper, during an episode of their podcast Time to Say Goodbye. In this unexpected and somewhat controversial proposal, the duo suggests that Eminem might be the perfect wildcard candidate to shake up the Democratic Party in 2028. The idea of Eminem, with his controversial past and undeniable popularity, stepping into the political arena would be nothing short of fascinating. Could he trade his rap battles for political debates?

Kang and Harper are not the only ones who think Eminem could win. In fact, the two journalists seem pretty confident that if Eminem did decide to run, he would be an overwhelming success. “He would win, wouldn’t he?” Kang asked rhetorically. To which Harper responded with absolute certainty: “Of course he would win! Everyone likes him. Nobody doesn’t like Eminem.” While this might hold true for a large portion of the public, it is hard to ignore the reality of the polarizing nature of modern-day politics. Let’s just say, they might not have polled the X (formerly Twitter) user base before making that claim.

Though it seems like an outlandish scenario, there are some very real reasons why Eminem could be a serious contender. First, he has long been politically outspoken, particularly against former president Donald Trump. One of his most famous political statements came in 2017 with his “The Storm” freestyle, a rap in which he lashed out at Trump in no uncertain terms. In the song, Eminem called Trump a “kamikaze that will probably cause a nuclear holocaust” and made it clear that his fans had to take a stand against what he viewed as the divisive and dangerous leadership of the Trump administration. This was not the first or the last time Eminem voiced his displeasure with Trump, but it was perhaps his most pointed and widely publicized political moment.

This kind of anti-Trump rhetoric could resonate with a significant portion of the electorate. But it’s not just the political messaging that makes Eminem a compelling candidate — it’s his broad appeal. Eminem is one of the most successful and influential artists in music history, and his fan base spans across various demographics and regions of the United States. His status as a cultural icon transcends age, race, and socioeconomic background. In battleground states like Michigan, where Eminem hails from, his name recognition alone could help sway crucial voters who are on the fence. While some might argue that his persona as “Slim Shady” might alienate certain voters, others would point to his authenticity and his ability to connect with a wide swath of people as valuable political assets.

Another factor working in Eminem’s favor is that his past is an open book. In the cutthroat world of political campaigns, opposition research can be a powerful weapon used to expose a candidate’s flaws. But with Eminem, this is not really an issue. For years, he has aired out his personal struggles and controversies in his music. Whether it was his tumultuous relationships, his battles with addiction, or his outbursts at the media and the public, Eminem’s life story is already well known. As Harper pointed out, “What’s the opposition research gonna be? We know! He put it on an album that sold millions of copies!” This could mean that his opponents would have little to attack him with that the public doesn’t already know or that hasn’t already been publicly dissected in his lyrics.

When you look at history, celebrity candidates should never be underestimated. Ronald Reagan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Donald Trump all made the leap from entertainment to politics and ended up with successful careers. Reagan, of course, went from Hollywood to the White House, becoming one of the most iconic Republican presidents of the 20th century. Schwarzenegger took his fame as a bodybuilding champion and action movie star to the governor’s office in California. And then, of course, Donald Trump turned his fame as a businessman and reality TV star into a political movement that led him to the Oval Office. These examples show that having widespread name recognition and a compelling narrative can be powerful tools in modern politics, especially when traditional politicians can seem out of touch with everyday voters.

However, there is a significant obstacle standing in the way of Eminem’s hypothetical presidential bid: his apparent lack of interest in politics. Eminem has consistently stayed out of the political spotlight for years, and despite his moments of outspoken political commentary, he has rarely made any moves toward seeking a public office. Politics is a demanding, full-time job, and someone like Eminem, who has spent much of his life focused on his music and maintaining his personal life away from the public eye, may not be eager to dive into the political grind. Running for president requires more than just a strong opinion; it requires immense political strategy, fundraising, and most importantly, a deep desire to dedicate years of one’s life to public service — something Eminem does not seem inclined to do at this point.

Nonetheless, it is important to recognize that in today’s political climate, where the unexpected has become the norm, the idea of a celebrity stepping into the political spotlight is not as outlandish as it once seemed. With the rise of populist figures like Trump, and the constant erosion of traditional political norms, the prospect of someone like Eminem running for office does not seem entirely beyond the realm of possibility.

In conclusion, while the idea of Eminem running for president in 2028 might seem like a fantasy to many, there are some interesting arguments that suggest it could be a plausible scenario. With his ability to connect with a broad base of supporters, his political outspokenness, and his already established celebrity status, Eminem could be a formidable candidate. However, the real question is whether he would be willing to trade his music career and private life for the grind of politics — a question that, for now, remains unanswered. But given the unpredictable nature of modern politics, perhaps nothing should be ruled out entirely.