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In a startling turn of events, former President Donald Trump was shot at during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, July 13. The incident, which left one rally attendee and the suspected shooter dead, has sparked a whirlwind of reactions across social media, including a notable response from rapper 50 Cent.
50 Cent, whose real name is Curtis Jackson, took to social media to draw a parallel between his own infamous shooting and the recent attempt on Trump’s life. The rapper posted a modified version of his debut album cover, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, featuring Trump’s face superimposed onto his body. Alongside the edited cover, 50 Cent wrote, “Trump gets shot and now I’m trending,” ending the caption with a shrugging emoji.
The comparison is significant given the backstory of 50 Cent’s album. Get Rich or Die Tryin’, released in 2003, includes the track “Many Men (Wish Death),” which references Jackson’s own harrowing experience of being shot nine times in 2000. The rapper has frequently spoken about how surviving that shooting shaped his career and life perspective.
During Saturday’s rally, Trump was rushed off the stage by Secret Service agents after gunshots were fired. In the chaos, Trump was seen with a bloodied ear and face but managed to pump his fist to the crowd as he was escorted away. According to his spokesman Steven Cheung, Trump is “fine” following the incident.
The shooting immediately became a trending topic, leading to widespread discussions and memes. 50 Cent’s reaction was both reflective and provocative, touching on the themes of survival and adversity that have been central to his music career.
“Many Men (Wish Death)” is one of the standout tracks from Get Rich or Die Tryin’, despite never being released as an official single. The song’s lyrics poignantly describe the rapper’s brush with death and his determination to overcome it: “Many men wish death upon me / Blood in my eye, dawg, and I can’t see / I’m tryin’ to be what I’m destined to be / And n— tryin’ to take my life away.”
Interestingly, 50 Cent has mentioned in interviews that “Many Men” is his least favorite track on the album due to its slower tempo compared to the other hard-hitting beats that defined that era of his music. Despite this, the song has remained influential, resonating with fans for its raw portrayal of violence and resilience.
The internet was quick to respond to 50 Cent’s posts. Comments on his post ranged from humorous to poignant. One follower remarked, “His street credit just went up a couple points,” referring to Trump. Others made light of the situation with comments like “Get reelected or die trying” and suggested that Trump should use “Many Men” as his campaign anthem.
Some users even remixed the song’s lyrics to fit Trump’s situation: “Blood in my ear dawg and I can’t hear, Biden tryna take my votes away.” Another comment humorously suggested, “Bro fighting charges and got shot… put him in the booth rn,” reflecting the ongoing legal challenges Trump faces.
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