BY EMMANUEL OGBONNA
Rapper Nicki Minaj made an unexpected foray into conservative politics on Sunday, appearing at a major gathering in Arizona that honored the late activist Charlie Kirk and using the moment to voice admiration for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, whom she described as “role models” for young men.
Minaj took the stage at AmericaFest, the annual convention hosted by Turning Point USA, where she was interviewed by Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk’s widow and the organization’s new leader. The conversation focused on Minaj’s recent shift toward supporting Trump, a notable change from her earlier public criticisms, as well as her outspoken condemnation of violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Her appearance marked one of the clearest signals yet of her alignment with the Make America Great Again movement. While Minaj’s political views have often been difficult to categorize, her decision to attend the flagship event of one of the country’s most influential conservative youth organizations underscored a growing comfort with the movement and its leaders.
During the interview, Minaj praised both Trump and Vance, saying she was proud of the administration and drawn to what she described as their authenticity. “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them,” she said. “Our vice president, he makes me … well, I love both of them. Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
Minaj also took aim at Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom, using a derisive nickname popularized by Trump. Newsom is widely viewed as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race. Erika Kirk, who has taken over leadership of Turning Point following her husband’s death, offered her own praise for Vance and endorsed him despite his not having announced any presidential ambitions.
The event included a tense moment when Minaj, attempting to compliment Vance’s effectiveness in politics, referred to him as an “assassin.” She quickly paused, appearing to regret the phrasing as the audience murmured. Erika Kirk, whose husband was killed earlier this year, appeared visibly emotional. Seeking to move past the moment, Kirk brushed it aside, telling the crowd she was unfazed and expressing affection for Minaj.
In recent weeks, Minaj has also drawn attention for amplifying Trump’s statements on Nigeria, sharing one of his posts that suggested possible sanctions over the government’s failure to curb attacks on Christians. While experts have long said the violence in Nigeria is rooted in complex ethnic, economic and regional conflicts, Minaj said the issue resonated with her on a personal level.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude,” she wrote on social media. “We live in a country where we can freely worship God.” Her comments led to an invitation to participate in a panel discussion at the U.S. mission to the United Nations alongside Ambassador Mike Waltz and religious leaders.
On stage in Arizona, Minaj said she was tired of feeling constrained by expectations and criticism, arguing that expressing independent views has become controversial. “People are no longer using their minds,” she said, adding that she refused to be intimidated by backlash. Erika Kirk thanked her for what she called her courage, particularly in light of criticism from within the entertainment industry.
“I didn’t notice,” Minaj responded dismissively. “We don’t even think about them.” Kirk agreed, saying the movement was focused on building rather than responding to critics. “We’re the cool kids,” Minaj added, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Minaj is one of the most commercially successful rappers of her generation, known for hits including “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda” and “Starships.” Over the course of her career, she has earned 12 Grammy nominations and cultivated a global fan base.
Her current political posture stands in sharp contrast to her stance during Trump’s first term. In 2018, Minaj was among the celebrities who condemned the administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy, which resulted in the separation of thousands of children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. At the time, she shared her own experience of immigrating to the United States at age 5, describing herself as undocumented and expressing alarm over the policy’s impact on families.
“This is so scary to me,” she wrote then. “Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?”
Standing on stage Sunday, Minaj acknowledged the shift in her views and defended it without apology. “It’s OK to change your mind,” she said, framing her evolution as part of personal growth rather than political calculation.
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