As the title implies, this song is a critique of Donald J. Trump, who, at the time of this song’s release, was a candidate for the 2016 United States Presidential Election. He subsequently won the Republican party’s nomination and sucessfully won the general election on November 9, 2016 in a stunning upset against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Due to his racist and often violent rhetoric, Trump has been heavily criticized by both the political class and constituents alike.

When asked by Billboard if it’s important for artists in hip-hop to share their political views, YG said the following:

That shit is important because we got a lot of people with power that really ain’t doing too much. I feel like these motherfuckers that got more power have to open their eyes and register to vote but motherfuckers really ain’t doing nothing. Me and Nip always talk about that but we already deal with getting blackballed by the police, shows getting shut down, so we was always hesitant about going ham on shit. But fuck all that – this hip hop, this rap, we got a platform and we’re going to use it for the right shit. I ain’t hesitating no more.

Shortly after the song was released, YG claimed the Secret Service was investigating his lyrics, and that they threatened to pull Still Brazy off the shelves if he didn’t censor his lyrics:

The Secret Service hollerin' at the label, they askin' to see the lyrics on the album, see if I’m talkin' about [Donald Trump] on my album. ‘Cause if I talk about him on my album, they’re gonna try to take it of the shelves, you feel me?

The song was released with the rest of the album as “FDT,” with several controversial lines censored: the “El Chapo” line was omitted, as was “you gon' prolly get smoked” and “black love, brown pride in the sets again.”

The music video begins with these words in white against a black backdrop:

As young people with an interest in the future of America, we have to exercise our intelligence and CHOOSE who leads us into it wisely. 2016 will be a turning point in this country’s history… the question is… in which direction will we go?

The last 8 years represented an upward evolution in Western political principles and the collection vibration of America as a whole…
We saw more inclusive/diplomatic foreign policy…We saw prison reform actually bring home family members and neighbors of ours…We saw healthcare reform become a civil service…And we saw morally unjust conflicts with other country’s [sic] resolved.

Our opinion is that in the age of a technologically empowered & nuclear armed planet…separation is the enemy. The next leader of America will be a most pivotal president for these reasons. Register ASAP and choose wisely. #FDT - YG & Nipsey Hussle

On July 20, 2016, YG dropped “FDT Pt. 2”, with white rappers G-Eazy and Macklemore.