If it wasn't already very clear that J. Cole is not a fan of Donald Trump, he enforced his opposition to the President at his recent show in Denmark. After fans began chanting "Fuck Donald Trump" during his performance, Cole happily joined in on the refrain. "Fuck Donald Trump!" he said, before expressing surprise over Europeans being as upset with the president as Americans. "Damn, we overseas and y'all feel like this. That's crazy as fuck," he said. Watch the clip below.
Just last week, Cole was compelled to write an extensive thread of tweets in response to Trump's criticism of Colin Kaepernick and many other NFL players' kneeling protest. He suggested that the next step in the movement, which is meant to call attention to the oppression and police brutality that people of color in America face, is for fans to tune out of NFL games. "God bless every player that finds courage to kneel today. But the real power comes from you deciding to not watch," he wrote. “Your eyes translate to advertising money for the League and it’s owners. Same ones who speak out against Trump today, are the same ones that denied a qualified man a job because he took a stand against injustice. You and me have the power to deny them our attention ($$ to them) until they make a wrong situation right."
"Fuck Donald Trump" has become a rallying cry within the hip-hop world since the release of YG and Nipsey Hussle's "FDT." The song was released prior to Trump's election, but has become even more powerful since.
Cole is not the only rapper who has spoken out against Trump's criticism of the NFL protest. Common also shared some thoughts on the matter last week. “We live in America and I think individuals should be able to express themselves. I think what Colin Kaepernick did is raising awareness for people,” he told TMZ. “It wasn’t even about him making a name [for himself]. He’s done something that’s causing conversation. He might have saved people’s lives just by the conversations we’re having and the things that’s going on when it comes to the racism and the neglect of black and brown people. I think the fact that he stood up and expressed himself is what the American way has been. That’s how things change. That’s how things improve, and he did non-violently.”
