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Rap Star Nicki Minaj Makes Surprise Appearance at Conservative Convention, Endorses Trump
Grammy-nominated rapper Nicki Minaj stunned observers Sunday with a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention in Arizona, where she openly praised former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance as “role models” for young men.
The hip-hop artist sat for an interview with Erika Kirk, who recently took leadership of the influential conservative youth organization following the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, in September. During their conversation, Minaj elaborated on her newfound support for Trump – a significant shift from her previous criticism of the former president.
“This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them. Our vice president, he makes me… well, I love both of them,” Minaj told the audience. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
The appearance marks Minaj’s most public alignment yet with the MAGA movement, solidifying what has been a gradual political transformation for the artist. Her political positions have historically been difficult to categorize, making her enthusiastic embrace of conservative figures particularly noteworthy within both music and political circles.
During the interview, Minaj directed criticism toward California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat with potential 2028 presidential aspirations, referring to him by Trump’s derogatory nickname “New-scum.” The comment drew approval from the conservative crowd.
An awkward moment occurred when Minaj, attempting to compliment Vance’s political abilities, described him as an “assassin.” She immediately appeared to regret her word choice, covering her mouth as Kirk seemed to wipe away tears. Kirk, whose husband died by assassination just months ago, quickly defused the tension, saying, “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman.”
Minaj’s political realignment became more visible last month when she shared a message posted by Trump on his Truth Social platform regarding potential sanctions against Nigeria over alleged persecution of Christians. Trump’s post suggested the Nigerian government was failing to protect Christian communities in the West African nation.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” Minaj wrote when sharing Trump’s message on X (formerly Twitter). However, regional experts note that violence in Nigeria is more complex than religious persecution alone, involving ethnic conflicts, resource competition, and governance issues.
The rapper’s stance on Nigeria led to an invitation to speak at a panel at the U.S. mission to the United Nations alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and various faith leaders, elevating her political profile beyond entertainment circles.
During the AmericaFest appearance, Kirk thanked Minaj for being “courageous” despite potential backlash from the entertainment industry, which tends to lean liberal. The rapper dismissed such concerns, saying, “I didn’t notice. We don’t even think about them.” When Kirk added, “We don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?” Minaj responded confidently, “We’re the cool kids.”
The Trinidadian-born artist, known for hits like “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda,” and “Starships,” has earned 12 Grammy nominations throughout her career. Her current political stance represents a dramatic shift from 2018, when she was among several celebrities who condemned Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated more than 5,000 children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
At that time, Minaj shared her personal immigration story on Instagram, describing herself as once being an “illegal immigrant” who arrived in the United States at age five. “This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?” she wrote then.
Addressing her political evolution directly during Sunday’s event, Minaj offered a simple explanation: “It’s OK to change your mind.”
Her appearance at the conservative gathering reflects both the Trump campaign’s ongoing efforts to attract celebrity endorsements and the increasingly fluid nature of political affiliations in American culture, where traditional partisan boundaries appear increasingly permeable among public figures.
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10 Comments
While I may not agree with Minaj’s political views, I respect her right to speak her mind. It’s healthy for our democracy to have diverse voices and perspectives, even if they challenge the status quo.
Well said. Healthy political discourse requires engaging with views we may not share, not dismissing them out of hand.
This is a stark departure from Minaj’s previous criticism of Trump. It will be interesting to see if this signals a broader realignment of her political views or is more of a one-off endorsement.
Agreed, it’s a significant shift that bears watching. Celebrities’ political affiliations can be fluid, so this could be part of a longer-term evolution in Minaj’s thinking.
While I may not share Minaj’s political leanings, I respect her right to express them. Healthy democracies require a diversity of views, even if they challenge our own beliefs.
Well said. Engaging with differing perspectives, rather than dismissing them, is crucial for a vibrant public discourse.
Curious to see how Minaj’s endorsement of Trump and Vance will be received by her fanbase. Celebrities can have a significant influence, for better or worse, on their followers’ political leanings.
That’s a good point. Minaj has a large, mostly young fan base, so her political pivot could sway some of them, at least in the short term.
Interesting to see Nicki Minaj depart from her past criticisms of Trump and endorse him and Vance. Curious to hear more about her political evolution and what led to this shift in perspective.
Agreed, it’s a surprising turn of events. Celebrities often have an outsized influence on political discourse, so it will be worth watching how this impacts the broader conversation.