Eminem rebukes 'racist' Donald Trump in awards show rap

(Reuters) - Rapper Eminem derided U.S. President Donald Trump as a racist and a reckless leader in a rap video that aired on Tuesday night during the Black Entertainment Television Hip Hop Awards.

Eminem told his fans in the four-minute unaccompanied vocal they must choose whether to support him or the president.

“Racism is the only thing that he’s fantastic for,” Eminem rapped in the video that was taped on Friday in a Detroit parking garage.

Trump has previously dismissed accusations of racism. For example, he said in February he is “the least racist person.”

FILE PHOTO: Rapper Eminem performs 'Not Afraid' at the 2010 BET Awards in Los Angeles June 27, 2010. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni/File Photo

Representatives for the White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Eminem’s rap, which was one of the most watched videos on YouTube early on Wednesday.

The rap also mentioned Barack Obama, Trump’s predecessor in the White House, and Hillary Clinton, Trump’s Democratic rival in last year’s presidential election.

FILE PHOTO: U.S. rapper Eminem performs during the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix After Race closing concert at the du Arena on Yas Island November 4, 2012. REUTERS/Jumana ElHeloueh/File Photo

“But we better give Obama props / ‘cause what we got in office now is a kamikaze / that’ll probably cause a nuclear holocaust,” Eminem rapped.

Eminem rebuked Trump for his strong criticism of National Football League players who kneel during the national anthem before games. The gesture is a form of demonstration that began last year in silent protest against police violence against black people.

“He gets an enormous reaction / when he attacks the NFL so we focus on that in- / ‘stead of talkin’ Puerto Rico or gun reform for Nevada,” Eminem rapped, referring to a devastating hurricane that hit Puerto Rico last month and a mass shooting in Las Vegas that killed 58 people on Oct. 1.

Additional reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York and Susan Heavey in Washington; Editing by Frances Kerry