🚨 Eminem Calls to Cancel World Cup & 2028 Olympics: ‘Trump Doesn’t Deserve to Host Shit!’
Detroit / Washington – February 17, 2026
Rap legend Eminem has once again thrust himself into the political arena with a blistering, unfiltered rant against former President Donald Trump, calling for the outright cancellation of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) and the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. In a surprise Instagram video posted at 9:41 p.m. ET last night — viewed more than 87 million times in its first 12 hours — the Detroit native didn’t mince words: “Cancel the World Cup. Cancel the 2028 Olympics. Trump doesn’t deserve to host shit.”
The 51-year-old artist, born Marshall Mathers, delivered the message from his home studio, wearing a Detroit Lions hoodie and holding a notebook labeled “Shady’s Notes.” His voice steady but laced with the trademark Slim Shady edge, Eminem continued: “This guy’s been removed from office, impeached twice, facing disqualification, property seizures, lawyer defections, and grand-jury probes — and we’re still letting him play host to the world’s biggest parties? Nah. Cancel it all. Let the athletes compete somewhere that hasn’t elected a con man twice. Trump doesn’t deserve to host a backyard BBQ, let alone the Olympics.”
The video ended with Eminem dropping a mic and walking off camera, but the fallout was immediate and massive. #CancelWorldCup and #EminemVsTrump exploded to the top global trends on X, TikTok, and Instagram, amassing more than 4.2 million combined mentions within hours. Viral clips of the rant were remixed with beats from “Lose Yourself” and “The Real Slim Shady,” turning Eminem’s words into instant anthems for anti-Trump sentiment.
Reactions poured in from all corners. FIFA and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued neutral statements: “The 2026 World Cup and 2028 Olympics are awarded to host nations, not individuals. Preparations continue as planned.” U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone was more diplomatic: “We respect Mr. Mathers’ right to his opinion, but the World Cup is about unity, not politics.” LA 2028 organizers echoed: “The Games will showcase America’s best — diversity, innovation, and hospitality.”
Trump fired back on Truth Social at 10:19 p.m. ET in a 26-post thread:
“Eminem — the washed-up rapper who hasn’t had a hit in years — wants to CANCEL the World Cup and Olympics because he hates me! SAD! I made America GREAT — that’s why we got the Games! He’s just jealous because his concerts are empty. We’ll have the BIGGEST, BEST events ever!!!”
The post drew more than 3.8 million engagements but also triggered a flood of mocking replies and memes, including photoshopped images of Eminem as a goalie blocking Trump’s “shots” and lyrics from “Stan” rewritten as Trump fan letters.
Celebrities and athletes quickly weighed in. LeBron James tweeted: “Eminem speaking truth. The Games should be about athletes, not politics. If the host is toxic, maybe cancel is right.” Serena Williams posted: “I competed for my country. But if the leader is a disgrace, what are we representing?” On the other side, Caitlyn Jenner defended: “Eminem needs to stick to rap. Canceling the Olympics hurts athletes, not Trump.”
Public opinion is divided but leaning skeptical of cancellation. A flash poll from Rasmussen released this afternoon shows 64% of Americans oppose canceling the events, including 78% of Republicans and 52% of Democrats. However, 71% agree that “Trump’s controversies make hosting embarrassing for America.” Support for cancellation is highest among millennials (41%) and Gen Z (48%) — Eminem’s core fanbase.
The statement has amplified existing pressure on Trump. With impeachment articles advancing, property seizures underway, four top lawyers resigned last week, and the Senate weighing disqualification under the 14th Amendment, Eminem’s call has gained traction among independents and moderate Republicans.
A flash poll from Quinnipiac released this afternoon shows 59% of Americans believe Melania should testify if subpoenaed, including 38% of Republicans. Pro-Trump rallies in Florida drew thousands chanting “Hands off Melania!” while counter-demonstrations in New York carried signs reading “No one above the law — not even Melania.”
Late-night hosts wasted no time. Jimmy Kimmel opened his monologue with: “Democrats just voted to make Melania testify about Trump and Epstein. That’s not a subpoena — that’s a family reunion no one wants.” Stephen Colbert ran a parody skit with an actor playing Melania on the stand: “I cannot recall… but I can model.”
The Epstein connection — long a sore spot for Trump, who has repeatedly denied any close ties — exploded online. Viral threads compiled old interviews where Trump praised Epstein as “a terrific guy” who “likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them on the younger side.” Progressive commentators like Rachel Maddow devoted her entire show to the unsealed records, calling it “the resurfacing of a pattern of associations that Trump has never fully explained.”
For Trump — already facing impeachment articles, potential disqualification under the 14th Amendment, ongoing property seizures in New York, mass resignations from his legal team, and grand-jury developments in Georgia — the subpoena for Melania adds an intensely personal layer to an already existential legal and political siege.
As the House prepares for a full vote and Melania’s counsel gears up for a legal challenge, the nation watches with a mix of fascination and unease. Whether she appears voluntarily, negotiates a last-minute resolution, or forces federal agents to enforce the subpoena, the outcome will be indelibly public — and potentially irreversible for the Trump family brand.
In a week already filled with historic lows for Donald Trump, the possibility of his wife being compelled to testify about his ties to Epstein may prove the most shocking turn of all.
