Eminem tells GOP candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to stop using his music on the campaign trail

Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy may be a fan of famed rapper Eminem, but the feeling, it appears, is not mutual.

The Daily Mail reported Monday that the rapper has objected to Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur from Ohio who is surging in the polls, using his music on the campaign trail. A spokesperson for Ramaswamy's campaign confirmed the report to the Des Moines Register.

Ramaswamy went viral earlier this month after he rapped Eminem's 2002 hit "Lose Yourself," his favorite campaign walk-out song, at the Iowa State Fair during an appearance with Gov. Kim Reynolds.

Music licenser BMI sent a letter to a Ramaswamy campaign lawyer that says Eminem's works are no longer part of a music licensing agreement following a request from Eminem, according to the Daily Mail.

"Vivek just got on the stage and cut loose. To the American people’s chagrin, we will have to leave the rapping to the real Slim Shady,” Ramaswamy campaign spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said.

Ramaswamy has risen in national polling for the 2024 Republican presidential primaries in recent weeks, with a current average of about 10.1%, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Former President Donald Trump still dominates in polls, followed by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Ramaswamy.

In Iowa, Ramaswamy polled at 4% in a recent Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom poll, behind six other candidates.

He barnstormed the state in recent weeks following a high-profile appearance at the first Republican primary debate in Milwaukee last week.

Chris Higgins covers the eastern suburbs for the Register. Reach him at chiggins@registermedia.com or 515-423-5146 and follow him on Twitter @chris_higgins_.