Rep. Jasmine Crockett: To quote Kendrick Lamar – “Trump is ‘not like us’”

In a cultural and political moment that fused hip-hop, protest, and a bold congressional message, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-TX) once again found herself at the center of national attention.

Ahead of former President Donald Trump’s highly publicized 2025 “State of the Union” address—dubbed by critics as the “State of the DisUnion”—Crockett took to social media to make a powerful statement, invoking none other than Kendrick Lamar, one of hip-hop’s most influential voices.

On the day of Trump’s address, Rep. Crockett posted a video to her social media accounts that instantly caught fire online.

The clip shows Crockett and two of her staffers walking confidently through the halls of Congress, sunglasses on, as Lamar’s track “Not Like Us” plays in the background.

With the track’s infectious hook—“They not like us!”—underscoring the visuals, Crockett’s caption read: “The country is divided—somebody’s gotta fight for it.”

She ended her post with a direct call to action: “Well… the State of the DisUnion will begin shortly. I’m gonna be in attendance. DO NOT WATCH!”

This wasn’t just a creative Instagram moment. It was a calculated form of protest—an attempt to blend pop culture with political critique, using the art of one of the most incisive cultural critics of our time.

Kendrick Lamar’s song “Not Like Us” originally emerged from a rap feud, but its message has since taken on broader cultural significance.

The song critiques exploitation, cultural appropriation, and inauthentic leadership—ideas that resonate deeply with many Americans disillusioned by political figures like Trump.

Crockett, a former public defender and civil rights attorney, has often used pop culture to amplify her progressive message.

By quoting Kendrick, she’s not just throwing shade—she’s aligning herself with a cultural undercurrent of resistance and authenticity. This isn’t her first time referencing Lamar, either.

After a viral exchange with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene last year, Crockett compared her rhetorical style to Lamar’s, telling reporters, “He’s sharp, he’s layered, he doesn’t just throw bars—he builds meaning.”

Crockett has made a name for herself by blending bold rhetoric, legal expertise, and cultural references.

Whether it’s standing up to Greene during House committee hearings or calling out GOP hypocrisy on immigration and criminal justice, she doesn’t shy away from confrontation.

Her social media presence is an extension of that political persona.

From the floor of Congress to the feeds of Gen Z and Millennials, she’s part of a new wave of lawmakers who recognize that influencing public opinion doesn’t stop at C-SPAN.

It’s also about memes, music, and moments that resonate beyond Washington.

Though Crockett’s comments and protest were aimed at Trump, the message was broader than one man.

In quoting “Not Like Us,” she drew a line between two visions of America.

One, where public officials stand for transparency, justice, and inclusion—and another, where corruption, divisiveness, and self-interest reign.

In her view, Trump is not just “not like us”—he symbolizes a dangerous brand of politics that must be called out.

Unsurprisingly, Crockett’s post drew sharp criticism from conservative commentators. Fox News anchors called her video “juvenile” and “divisive.”

Some GOP House members accused her of disrespecting the institution of Congress. But the reaction on the left—and among younger voters—was overwhelmingly positive.

The clip garnered millions of views, sparked remixes, and even got a retweet from Kendrick Lamar’s label, Top Dawg Entertainment, with a flame emoji and the caption: “She understood the assignment.”