“Facts” is a 2024 single by Canadian rapper Tom MacDonald, featuring conservative demagogue Ben Shapiro. MacDonald, who shifted to right– wing politics when his lyrical and creative acumen weren’t sharp enough to carve out an identity for himself, again turns to his old trick of bland culture war topics and “offensive” lyrics. As per usual, MacDonald’s songwriting is ripped straight from the teleprompter of Fox News and will likely only impress people who don’t listen to music made past 1985.
However, “Facts” does introduce a unique twist on MacDonald’s old formula with the inclusion of Ben “Rap Isn’t Music” Shapiro, whose high-speed debate lord style of speaking translates to rap in style but not in substance. Similarly to MacDonald, Shapiro turned to the oil-baron-funded world of right-wing commentary when his career as a Hollywood scriptwriter sputtered out before it even began.
With these two creative minds at work, it isn’t surprising that the lyrical content of “Facts” is lies. Their rote recitation of various debunked talking points about trans people and racism is so thoroughly worn that it isn’t worth addressing, so I won’t. What I will say is that MacDonald’s periodic ejaculation of the verse “I don’t care if I offend you!” doesn’t particularly frighten or impress me, reminding me more closely of the impotent declaration of a child than the Big Words of a Straight-Talking Conservative Man. MacDonald also pleads with the listener, “Where are all the American flags at? Remember when people used to hang those?” MacDonald may find more American flags further south, below the border of his homeland, Canada. Shapiro’s section on the track is best summed up by the line “My comment section, all woke Karens,” which I believe speaks for itself. Simply put, this verse does not reflect the high standards of writing and prose set by Shapiro’s alma mater, Harvard University, and I advise him to study his much-beloved Shakespeare more closely.
Truly, “Facts” is a fascinating window into the fractured psyche and internal neurosis of the species of the conservative media figure. I’d like to ask a personal question to Tom and Ben: are you proud of yourself? Is this what you envisioned for your life when you began your career, fresh-faced and determined to change the world? Did you imagine that your love for music and writing would lead you to this point? When you get a check in the mail, does it sadden you to see the name of another oil baron on it? Your parents had a glimmer in their eyes when you were young—do you remember it? You didn’t realize it then, but they had so much hope for you. You could have been anything. Done anything. Gone anywhere. Do they see that glimmer anymore?
