Fact Check: Did Eminem really claim that he is 'not a liberal snowflake'?

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It's no secret that the internet loves a good quote, especially when it’s attributed to someone like Eminem.

But earlier this month, a message started making the rounds on social media with the term “liberal snowflake” plastered all over it, claiming that the words came straight from the rapper himself. The quote was shared widely on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Threads, and Facebook, and it’s got everyone talking.

The full quote reads, "I am not a liberal snowflake. My feelings aren't fragile, my heart isn't bleeding. I am a badass believer in human rights. My toughness is tenderness. My strength is in the service of others. There is nothing more fierce than formidable, unconditional love. There is not a thing more courageous than compassion. But if my belief in equity, empathy, goodness, and love indeed makes me or people like me snowflakes, then you should know — WINTER IS COMING."

Fact Check: False

There’s no proof that Eminem ever said these words. No video, no interview transcript, no post from any official social media account tied to the rapper—zilch. This quote has been floating around online for years but was never linked to Eminem until November of this year.

The timing is a bit suspicious too, considering it was just weeks after Eminem made a big appearance at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign in Detroit.

While some social media detectives quickly pointed out that this wasn’t Eminem’s quote, they also noted who wrote it: Houston Kraft, a motivational speaker and author. He originally shared this message back in 2017 on both X and Facebook.

And if there was any doubt left, Kraft himself confirmed to Snopes in an email that he was indeed the original author of the quote.

To put it simply, the claim that Eminem was the author of this message is flat-out false. But this wasn’t the first time the quote was misattributed. Some folks on the internet even wrongly credited it to John Pavlovitz, a writer who posted a similar take on the term “snowflake” on his blog in early 2017.

It looks like the confusion may have stemmed from Pavlovitz’s use of the phrase “winter is coming,” a popular catchphrase from HBO’s 'Game of Thrones' which both Pavlovitz and Kraft referenced.

Eminem’s recent rally appearance

The timing of the aforementioned quote came just weeks after Eminem’s high-profile appearance at a get-out-the-vote rally in Detroit, where he supported Kamala Harris’ run for president.

Decked out in his signature baseball cap with the letter “D” for Detroit, Eminem took to the stage and also introduced former president Barack Obama.

Eminem addressed the crowd saying, “As most of you know, the city of Detroit and the whole state of Michigan mean a lot to me.” He continued, “Going into this election, the spotlight is on us more than ever, and I think it’s important to use your voice.”

Michigan was a crucial battleground state in this year’s election. Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump made several visits there in the lead-up to Election Day, especially since the state’s large Arab population was dissatisfied with US support for Israel.

“I’m encouraging everybody to get out and vote, please,” Eminem urged the crowd. “I also think that people shouldn’t be afraid to express their opinions, and I don’t think anyone wants an America where people are worried about retribution or what people would do if you make your opinion known.”

He added, “I think Vice President Harris supports a future for this country where these freedoms and many others will be protected and upheld.”

Eminem then introduced Obama. With a big smile, the former president quipped, “I noticed my palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy, vomit on my sweater already, mom’s spaghetti" — rapping the iconic lyrics from Eminem’s hit “Lose Yourself."

Despite the star-studded support, the results in Michigan didn’t go as planned for Harris. The state ended up swinging for Trump when the final votes were tallied on Election Day.