Rapper Killer Mike Declares His Decision to Withhold Endorsement for Biden

American rapper Killer Mike arrives for the 66th Annual Grammy Awards at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., on Feb. 4, 2024. (Robyn Beck/AFP via Getty Images

During a recent appearance on Bill Maher’s show, rapper Killer Mike, also known as Michael Render, refrained from endorsing either President Joe Biden or former President Donald Trump when pressed by Mr. Maher.

Despite repeated attempts by Mr. Maher to elicit an endorsement for President Biden in the upcoming election, Killer Mike remained noncommittal.

When asked about his stance on the 2024 election, the musician emphasized the importance of policy over personality. “My feeling is, pick your policy, not your person. ... This is not the Dallas Cowboys versus your favorite team,” Killer Mike said during the interview on Feb. 2.

Mr. Maher continued to press Killer Mike on his voting preferences, but the rapper declined to disclose his choice regarding the candidates. Refusing to be drawn into making a specific endorsement, Killer Mike expressed concern that Mr. Maher’s questioning might get him in trouble with viewers.

Mr. Maher responded, “But you can’t get yourself to say, ‘Vote for Biden over Trump?’”

In response, Killer Mike raised questions about President Biden’s policies, particularly issues affecting the black community, telling Mr. Maher: “Can he get himself to apologize for the [1994] crime bill? Can he get himself to get his head out of his [expletive] and say, ‘Black people ... I need you to tell me what I need to do.’

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“Can he pick a coalition of former people who were affected by drug law, street gangs, recidivism, and crime and say, ‘I need you as a board to advise me how to fix federal prisons’? If he can do that, absolutely I can. So my challenge is out.”

Killer Mike’s political stance has been characterized by contradictions, as he campaigned for Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) in 2020, expressed mixed views on gun ownership, and spoke warmly about Georgia’s Republican governor, Brian Kemp.

The rapper’s flexibility has led to controversy, with a Huffington Post opinion piece labeling him “more politically dangerous than Kanye West.” Despite his songs envisioning a violent revolution, Killer Mike has also urged protesters not to engage in property destruction during protests, drawing accusations of playing to different sides.

Black Celebrities Leaving Democratic Party

Ice Cube used his social media platform in 2020 to urge followers to reflect on a crucial question: “Where’s our bailout?” In a video posted previously, the rapper voiced his disappointment with the Democratic National Convention (DNC), observing the enthusiasm from attendees but emphasizing the absence of concrete benefits for the black community.

In the video, Ice Cube expressed frustration at the DNC speeches, pointing out that while many people were enthusiastically responding, there was a glaring omission of addressing specific concerns relevant to the black community. He challenged the lack of clarity on what tangible benefits were being offered beyond the standard political rhetoric.

Notably, the rapper underscored the failure to mention the “contract with Black America,” a comprehensive reform document he considers vital in addressing systemic issues. Ice Cube conveyed his perplexity regarding this oversight, given the document’s potential to tackle longstanding problems. In his critique, he highlighted the absence of a clear plan from the political parties, leaving him dissatisfied with the current state of affairs.

Sexyy Red, a rapper from St. Louis, expressed her desire for President Trump to return to the Oval Office during an appearance on Theo Von’s “This Past Weekend” podcast on Oct. 3, 2023. She highlighted the initial skepticism in her neighborhood but emphasized the former president’s positive impact, particularly in addressing criminal justice issues and providing financial assistance.

“They support him in the hood. At first, I don’t think people was [expletive] with him. They thought he was racist, saying little [expletive] against women. But once he started getting black people out of jail and giving people that free money, aw baby, we love Trump. We need him back in office.”

In August 2023, rapper Chief Keef showed support for President Trump following the former president’s arrest in Atlanta. Chief Keef, sharing a doctored image of the former president throwing a Gangsta Disciple gang sign, predicted President Trump’s influence even if incarcerated. “He finna run the prison. ... All da Blacks finna have my boy back,” he wrote.

On April 6, 2023, after President Trump’s arrest on multiple felony counts, rapper Kodak Black defended the former commander-in-chief on Instagram Live. Kodak praised President Trump as a stand-up individual and criticized President Biden, asserting, “Trump is a real n***a. He’s a soldier.” Kodak’s loyalty to the 2024 Republican front-runner stemmed from his commutation of Kodak’s sentence in 2021.

Rapper Lil Pump’s admiration for President Trump dates back to 2020 when he joined the former president on stage at a rally. In August 2023, Lil Pump posted his mugshot in solidarity with President Trump’s arrest, using the hashtag “FREETRUMP.”

Rapper Waka Flocka Flame, a longtime Trump supporter, suggested in 2020 that President Trump was a better president than Barack Obama. In October 2023, Waka posted “#TRUMP2024” and shared a photo with President Trump captioned “#NewProfilePic.”

Rapper Azealia Banks—known for arguing online with a long list of celebrities like Lana Del Rey to Rita Ora, claiming the Australian dollar is third-world currency and allegedly making earrings out of her dead cat’s bones—reaffirmed her support for President Trump in a November 2023 interview with The Standard. She highlighted President Trump’s perceived humor, resilience through challenges, and belief that he would protect the Second Amendment.

Ms. Banks expressed her amusement at the former president’s ability to overcome multiple bankruptcies, marriages, and television shows, saying: “He’s been through how many bankruptcies? How many wives? How many television shows? Seriously, nothing can take him down?”

Black Independent and Conservative Groups

A rising number of black voters are exploring alternatives for the 2024 election beyond the two major-party candidates, posing a significant challenge to President Biden’s reelection aspirations. Capitalizing on this shift, third-party presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is actively engaging with this demographic. On Instagram, Blacks For Kennedy states the organization is dedicated to honoring RFK Jr.’s vision.

Project 21, initiated by the National Center for Public Policy Research, strives to amplify the voices of African Americans who champion entrepreneurial spirit, family dedication, and individual responsibility—values often marginalized by the conventional civil rights establishment.

Serving as a central hub for black conservatives nationwide, the Black Conservative Federation provides essential resources to expand and sustain conservative principles, contributing to the strength and uplifting of communities. The federation collaborates to devise innovative solutions for critical issues affecting the black community and the nation at large.

BLEXIT, driven by Turning Point USA, concentrates on cultural transformation through dynamic live events, grassroots organizing, and educational initiatives. At its core, BLEXIT advocates for a transformative “Black Exit” from the mindset of victimhood.