Donald Trump (song)

Last updated
This article is about the Mac Miller song. For other songs of the same name, see Donald Trump (disambiguation) § Songs.Not to be confused with Fuck Donald Trump.

"Donald Trump"
Donald-trump-by-mac-miller.jpg
Single by Mac Miller
from the album Best Day Ever
ReleasedFebruary 9, 2011
Recorded2010
Studio I.D. Labs
Genre Hip hop
Length2:45
Label Rostrum
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s) Sap
Mac Miller singles chronology
"On and On"
(2011)		"Donald Trump"
(2011)		"Frick Park Market"
(2011)
Music video
"Donald Trump" on YouTube

"Donald Trump" is a song by American rapper Mac Miller, released as the only single from his mixtape Best Day Ever (2011). The melody, which is played throughout the song, is sampled from "Vesuvius" by Sufjan Stevens. [1] The song's music video was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2011, while the single was released digitally on May 17, 2011.

Contents

The money-inspired song references Donald Trump, who, five years after the song's release, was elected as the 45th president of the United States. Trump and Miller feuded over the song for years, with Trump demanding royalties for the use of his name.

Background

After performing the song for several weeks, Mac Miller released "Donald Trump" as a free download on February 9, 2011. [2] [3] Its music video, directed by Ian Wolfson, was uploaded to YouTube on March 3, 2011. [4] [5] The song was included in Miller's 2011 mixtape Best Day Ever , and commercially released by Rostrum Records as a single on May 17, 2011. [6]

The money-inspired song refers to Donald Trump, particularly Miller's ambitions to become wealthy and successful like him ("Take over the world when I'm on my Donald Trump shit / Look at all this money, ain't that some shit?"). [7] According to Miller, the use of Trump's name was a last-minute decision, [8] and that he "was just somebody who symbolized financial success to everybody at that time". [9] When the music video surpassed 20 million views in August 2011, Trump released a YouTube video congratulating Miller, and branded him "the new Eminem". [10] [11] Miller responded appreciatively, but played down any comparisons between himself and Eminem. [12]

As the song garnered more streams in 2012, Trump took a more aggressive tone and demanded royalties for using his name, igniting a feud with Miller. [9] In a January 2013 interview, Miller insulted Trump and said he was bothered by Trump taking credit for the song's success. He added that he could have referenced Bill Gates instead and that the name did not matter. In response, Trump threatened Miller with a lawsuit via a series of tweets. [13] In July 2015, Trump changed his attitude toward Miller again when he ended an interview by praising Miller's song as it approached 100 million views. [14] During Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Miller denounced Trump and urged people to not elect him. [15] Miller said on The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore that he "hated" Trump, and described him as "an egomaniacal, attention-thirsty, psychopathic, power-hungry, delusional waste of skin and bones". [16] [17]

Critical reception

Rolling Stone 's Nick Catucci called the track an "irresistible bro-down". [18]

Chart performance

"Donald Trump" was Miller's first song to chart on the US Billboard Hot 100, entering at number 80 on chart dated June 11, 2011, [19] and peaked at number 75 on January 7, 2012. [20] On March 19, 2013, it was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America for digital download sales in excess of one million. [21] [22]

The song also charted in SNEP, the official French Singles Chart, peaking at number 110 in June 2012. [23]

Track listing

Digital download [6]
No.TitleLength
1."Donald Trump" (explicit)2:45
2."Donald Trump" (clean)2:45

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2011–18)Peak
position
France (SNEP) [23] 110
US Digital Song Sales ( Billboard ) [24] 47
US Billboard Hot 100 [20] 75

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Denmark (IFPI Danmark) [25] Gold15,000^
United States (RIAA) [21] Platinum1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Yourself</span> 2002 single by Eminem

"Lose Yourself" is a song by American rapper Eminem from the soundtrack to the 2002 film 8 Mile. The song was composed and produced by Eminem, longtime collaborator Jeff Bass, one half of the production duo Bass Brothers, and Luis Resto. The lyrics were written by Eminem. It was released on October 28, 2002, as the lead single from the soundtrack. The song's lyrics explicitly sum up the background of Eminem's character in 8 Mile, B-Rabbit, with the first verse summing up much of the plot of the movie. The song incorporates several aggressive themes, largely dealing with the struggles dealt with by B-Rabbit, and how he eventually overcomes his many problems and obstacles to gain the respect of other rappers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eminem</span> American rapper (born 1972)

Marshall Bruce Mathers III, known professionally as Eminem, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer. He is credited with popularizing hip-hop in Middle America and is widely regarded as one of the greatest rappers of all time. His success is considered to have broken racial barriers to the acceptance of white rappers in popular music. While much of his transgressive work during the late 1990s and early 2000s made him a controversial figure, he came to be a representation of popular angst of the American underclass and has been cited as influencing many musical artists. His most successful songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 include "The Real Slim Shady", "Without Me", "Lose Yourself", "Not Afraid", "Love the Way You Lie", "The Monster", "Godzilla", and "Houdini".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rostrum Records</span> American independent record label

Rostrum Records is an American independent record label initially located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, now located in Los Angeles, California. Benjy Grinberg is the founder and president of the label, which currently has sixteen artists on its roster, some of the more notable artists being Mac Miller, Wiz Khalifa, Rich the Kid, Mod Sun, Fat Nick, The Bird and the Bee, Donora, Lambo Anlo, TeamMate, Mike Taylor, BRÅVES, Juliann Alexander, and Boaz. Rostrum Records has sold millions of albums and singles, and Rostrum's artists have been nominated for a combined total of eleven Grammy Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sound of da Police</span> 1993 single by KRS-One

"Sound of da Police" is a song by American rapper KRS-One. Recorded at D&D Studios in New York City with production handled by Showbiz, it was released in December 1993 as the second and final single from KRS-One's debut solo studio album Return of the Boom Bap. It peaked at number 89 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Macklemore</span> American rapper (born 1983)

Benjamin Hammond Haggerty, better known by his stage name Macklemore, is an American rapper. A native of Seattle, Washington, he started his career in 2000 as an independent artist releasing: Open Your Eyes (2000), The Language of My World (2005), and The Unplanned Mixtape (2009). He rose to international success collaborating with producer Ryan Lewis as the duo Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (2009–2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Machine Gun Kelly (musician)</span> American musician (born 1990)

Colson Baker, known professionally as Machine Gun Kelly, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, and actor.

<i>Best Day Ever</i> (mixtape) 2011 mixtape by Mac Miller

Best Day Ever is the fifth mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released by Rostrum Records on March 11, 2011, as the follow-up to Miller's acclaimed mixtape K.I.D.S. (2010). The mixtape consists of sixteen songs produced by nine producers, and includes features from rappers Wiz Khalifa and Phonte.

<i>Blue Slide Park</i> 2011 studio album by Mac Miller

Blue Slide Park is the debut studio album by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on November 8, 2011, by Rostrum Records. The album is named after a section of Frick Park in Pittsburgh, near where Miller lived. Much of the production was handled by ID Labs, and the album has no guest appearances.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller discography</span>

American rapper Mac Miller released six studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, thirteen mixtapes, forty-four singles, and sixty-three music videos. After self-releasing several mixtapes, Miller signed with the independent record label Rostrum Records in 2010. He first charted with the release of his debut extended play On and On and Beyond in March 2011, entering the US Billboard 200 at number 55. His single "Donald Trump", from the 2011 mixtape Best Day Ever, became his first singles chart entry, peaking at number 75 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and earned a platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mac Miller</span> American rapper (1992–2018)

Malcolm James McCormick, known professionally as Mac Miller, was an American rapper. Miller began his career in Pittsburgh's local hip hop scene in 2007, at the age of 15. In 2010, he signed a record deal with independent label Rostrum Records and released his breakthrough mixtapes K.I.D.S. (2010) and Best Day Ever (2011). Miller's debut studio album, Blue Slide Park (2011), became the first independently distributed debut album to top the US Billboard 200 since 1995.

<i>K.I.D.S.</i> 2010 mixtape by Mac Miller

K.I.D.S. is the fourth mixtape by American rapper Mac Miller. It was released by Rostrum Records on August 13, 2010, through DatPiff. The title is a reference to the 1995 drama film Kids, which is quoted throughout the mixtape. It was later commercially released on April 29, 2020. A deluxe version was released on its 10th anniversary and includes two new tracks.

"Loud" is a song by American rapper Mac Miller, and the lead single from his mixtape Macadelic (2012). It was written by Miller, Eric Dan, Jeremy Kulousek, and Zachary Vaughan, and produced by Big Jerm and Sayez. It was released on March 2, 2012, by Rostrum Records. The music video was released on March 23, 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Way (Ariana Grande song)</span> 2013 single by Ariana Grande

"The Way" is a song by American singer Ariana Grande featuring American rapper Mac Miller. It was released on March 26, 2013 by Republic Records as the lead single from Grande's debut studio album, Yours Truly (2013). The song was written by Amber Streeter, Al Sherrod Lambert, Jordin Sparks, Brenda Russell, Miller, and the producer Harmony Samuels. The song samples Big Pun's 1998 song "Still Not a Player", which itself samples Russell's 1979 song "A Little Bit of Love".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donald Trump in music</span>

Multiple songs, albums, bands and performances have referenced Donald Trump or his various brands, including Trump Tower, his TV show, his hotel chain, and his casinos. While recent songs refer to Trump's campaign, election, and tenure as President of the United States, more than 200 songs refer to Trump prior to his campaigns for president. Most earlier references to Trump in lyrics revolve around his status as a business tycoon, but then shifted toward a stance more critical of his politics as he attempted to attain public office. With his victory in the 2016 presidential election, Trump's prominence in hip-hop music has been likened to that of Ronald Reagan's in hardcore punk during the 1980s.

<i>Revival</i> (Eminem album) 2017 studio album by Eminem

Revival is the ninth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on December 15, 2017, through Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records and Interscope Records. Like his previous album, The Marshall Mathers LP 2, it is executive produced by Dr. Dre and Rick Rubin, and features many pop artists, such as Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Alicia Keys, X Ambassadors, Skylar Grey, Kehlani, and Pink, along with fellow American rapper Phresher. The album's production was handled by several returning producers from his previous two albums, including Rick Rubin, Mr. Porter, Emile, Just Blaze, Alex da Kid, Fredwreck, and DJ Khalil.

<i>Kamikaze</i> (Eminem album) 2018 studio album by Eminem

Kamikaze is the tenth studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on August 31, 2018, by Aftermath Entertainment, Shady Records, and Interscope Records. The album, executive produced by Eminem and Dr. Dre, was released with no prior announcement just eight months after his previous album, Revival, in retaliation to the backlash it received. It features guest appearances from Joyner Lucas, Royce da 5'9", and Jessie Reyez. Production on the album was handled by Eminem, Luis Resto, Boi-1da, Tay Keith, Ronny J, Mike Will Made It, amongst others.

"The Ringer" is a song by American rapper Eminem from his album Kamikaze (2018). The album's opener, it was not released as a single but debuted in the top 10 in Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, the UK, and the US.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killshot (song)</span> 2018 diss track by Eminem

"Killshot" is a diss track written and recorded by American rapper Eminem. It was released on September 14, 2018, through Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment, and Interscope Records, amidst his feud with American musician Machine Gun Kelly. It serves as Eminem's response to Kelly's diss track "Rap Devil".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fivio Foreign</span> American rapper (born 1990)

Maxie Lee Ryles III, known by his stage name Fivio Foreign, is an American rapper from New York. He first saw mainstream recognition for his 2019 single "Big Drip", which received platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and spawned a remix featuring Lil Baby and Quavo. That same year, he signed with fellow New York rapper Mase's RichFish Records, in a joint venture with Columbia Records.

Thomas MacDonald is a Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer, and former professional wrestler. He is known for his anti-establishment subject matter in his music, in which he frequently criticizes "woke" culture, herd behavior and groupthink. In 2024, he emerged as a figurehead of "MAGA rap", a Trumpist subgenre of hip hop.

References

  1. ↑ Zisook, Brian (June 15, 2017). "Mac Miller Cleared Sufjan Stevens Sample on "Donald Trump" For Free". Djbooth. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  2. ↑ Big Homie (February 9, 2011). "New Music: Mac Miller "Donald Trump"". Rap Radar. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  3. ↑ Lilah, Rose (February 9, 2011). "Mac Miller – Donald Trump". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  4. ↑ "Mac Miller – Donald Trump". Rostrum Records. March 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 6, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2019– via YouTube.
  5. ↑ "Mac Miller". Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2019– via YouTube.
  6. 1 2 "Donald Trump – Single by Mac Miller". Rostrum Records. May 17, 2011. Archived from the original on February 23, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2019– via iTunes Store.
  7. ↑ Espionza, Joshua (November 9, 2016). "Mac Miller's 2011 Hit "Donald Trump" Surges on iTunes". Complex . Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  8. ↑ "Mac Miller talks Twitter exchange with Donald Trump". XXL . July 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 6, 2019. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
  9. 1 2 Makarechi, Kia (January 25, 2016). "Mac Miller, Donald Trump's Least Favorite Rapper, Revisits Feud". Vanity Fair . Archived from the original on October 1, 2020. Retrieved June 13, 2016.
  10. ↑ Horowitz, Steven J. (August 18, 2011). "Donald Trump Brands Mac Miller "The Next Eminem"". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on February 9, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  11. ↑ Zaru, Deena (September 2, 2015). "What hip-hop lyrics tell us about Donald Trump". CNN. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  12. ↑ Chandler, D. L. (August 24, 2011). "Mac Miller Responds To Donald Trump's Eminem Comparison". MTV News. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  13. ↑ Nostro, Lauren (January 31, 2013). "Donald Trump Threatens Mac Miller With Lawsuit, Calls Him an "Ungrateful Dog"". Complex . Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  14. ↑ Cirilli, Kevin (July 23, 2015). "Trump praises rapper's 'great' song about him". The Hill . Archived from the original on November 8, 2020. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  15. ↑ Zaru, Deena (December 17, 2015). "Mac Miller resurrects Donald Trump feud". CNN. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  16. ↑ Lynch, Joe (March 10, 2016). "Mac Miller to Donald Trump: 'Make America Great Again? You Want to Make America White Again'". Billboard . Archived from the original on March 14, 2016. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  17. ↑ Zaru, Deena (March 11, 2016). "Mac Miller: Donald Trump wants to 'make America white again'". CNN. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  18. ↑ Nick Catucci (June 18, 2013). "Mac Miller, 'Watching Movies With the Sound Off | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 22, 2013.
  19. ↑ Caulfield, Keith (September 10, 2018). "Mac Miller's Music Streams Increased 970% Following Death". Billboard . Archived from the original on February 15, 2019. Retrieved February 13, 2019.
  20. 1 2 "Mac Miller Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  21. 1 2 "American single certifications – Mac Miller – Donald Trump". Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved November 19, 2012.
  22. ↑ "RIAA Announces Ten First-Time Digital Award Recipients". Recording Industry Association of America. April 18, 2013. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved August 4, 2019.
  23. 1 2 "Mac Miller – Donald Trump" (in French). Les classement single. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  24. ↑ "Mac Miller Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ "Danish single certifications – Mac Miller – Donald Trump". IFPI Danmark . Retrieved January 21, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.