Nicki Minaj just delivered the most unexpected celebrity political endorsement of 2025, appearing Sunday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix to lavish praise on President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance before tens of thousands of conservative activists. The rapper told the crowd she has “the utmost respect and admiration for our president” and that Trump has “given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys.” Within hours, search interest for Nicki Minaj exploded across the United States as fans, critics, and political commentators reacted to what many described as a complete ideological transformation.
The appearance marked a dramatic reversal from 2018, when Minaj condemned Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border. Now she’s calling Trump and Vance “role models” for young men, mocking California Governor Gavin Newsom as “Newscum,” expressing anti-transgender views, and declaring conservatives “the cool kids.” The shift triggered immediate backlash from longtime fans while conservative media celebrated her conversion as validation of Trump’s expanding cultural influence beyond traditional Republican demographics.
Nicki Minaj Appeared at Turning Point USA’s First AmericaFest Since Founder’s Assassination
The context surrounding Minaj’s appearance adds layers of significance and sensitivity that make her endorsement more than just another celebrity political statement. Erika Kirk, who interviewed Minaj on stage, is the widow of Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA’s founder who was assassinated by a sniper on September 10, 2025. Erika Kirk recently took over as CEO of the conservative grassroots organization following her husband’s death.
Sources familiar with AmericaFest planning told Breitbart News that arrangements for Minaj to attend transpired after Charlie Kirk’s assassination. Her decision to speak at the conference in the wake of his murder represents, according to conservative media, inspiration from his legacy of free speech martyrdom that encouraged figures outside traditional conservative circles to speak more boldly about their beliefs.
The event drew over 30,000 attendees, making it the largest AmericaFest in Turning Point USA’s history. The emotional weight of the first major conference without Charlie Kirk hung over the proceedings, with speakers including Vice President JD Vance, Donald Trump Jr., and ultimately President Trump himself via phone call from his Palm Beach golf club.
Minaj walked on stage to her hit song “Super Bass,” holding hands with Erika Kirk before hugging her. Kirk told Minaj, “Charlie was very good about having a surprise for every AmFest. And we are so blessed to have you.” That introduction established the appearance as honoring Charlie Kirk’s legacy rather than just a routine celebrity booking.
The rapper’s appearance at a conference memorializing a recently assassinated conservative activist gives her pro-Trump statements political significance that transcends typical celebrity endorsements. It positions Minaj as standing with conservatives she portrays as persecuted victims fighting against establishment forces, rather than just supporting policies she happens to agree with.
The Tech Marketet has covered extensively how celebrity political alignments acquire deeper meaning when tied to traumatic events that conservative media frames as martyrdom for free speech principles.
What Nicki Minaj Actually Said About Trump and Her Political Transformation
Minaj didn’t offer tepid, hedged support. She delivered a full-throated endorsement that could have been written by Trump campaign strategists.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president,” Minaj declared. “I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys, and to win, and to do it with your head held high, and your integrity intact.”
She characterized the Trump administration as “full of people with heart and soul” who “make me proud of them.” She said Trump and Vance “make me feel proud to be American,” adding that both men possess “a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
“When I hear them speak, I know that they’re one of us,” Minaj explained. “They haven’t lost touch of the world. They’re still connected to the world and what’s happening in the world. They have the ability to still connect, and be real, and make us feel proud to be Americans.”
She praised Trump for surviving intense scrutiny and public attacks. “He’s been through every single thing a person can go through, publicly,” she said. “Until you are in that person’s shoes that’s being lied on, you’ll never understand what it feels like.”
The White House immediately amplified her remarks, posting video clips across official social media accounts with the caption: “Trump has ‘given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys, & to win, & to do it with your head held high & your integrity in tact. This administration is filled with people with heart & soul.’ MAKES US FEEL PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN.”
Minaj also addressed critics directly. When Erika Kirk asked about backlash she’s received from the entertainment industry for her political views, Minaj responded dismissively: “I didn’t notice… We don’t even think about them… We’re the cool kids. The other people, they’re the ones who are disgruntled, but really they’re just disgruntled with themselves.”
That framing—conservatives as “the cool kids” and progressives as “disgruntled”—represents a complete inversion of how Minaj positioned herself throughout her career. For two decades, she cultivated an image as rebellious, unconventional, and aligned with marginalized communities. Now she’s claiming that alignment with the Trump administration and conservative activism represents the truly rebellious position.
Minaj Attacked Gavin Newsom and Expressed Anti-Transgender Views
Beyond praising Trump, Minaj used the platform to mock and threaten California Governor Gavin Newsom, a likely 2028 Democratic presidential candidate. Kirk invited Minaj to read her recent social media posts attacking Newsom, which Minaj did enthusiastically while the crowd cheered.
“Dear Newscum,” Minaj said, using Trump’s derogatory nickname for the governor. “We don’t have a problem cleaning up the scum if we have to, please tread lightly — that’s what I’d say to Gavie poo.”
She criticized Newsom specifically over his support for transgender children, reading aloud her December 12 tweet: “Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids.”
During another segment, Minaj expressed views that align with conservative opposition to transgender rights and gender-affirming care. Video clips shared widely across social media show her saying, “If you are born a boy, be a boy, there is nothing wrong with being a boy how about that?”
Those statements represent stark departures from Minaj’s previous persona as an LGBTQ ally. The rapper has historically had strong support from LGBTQ fans and has worked with openly gay and transgender artists. Her pivot to anti-transgender messaging mirrors broader conservative campaigns targeting gender-affirming healthcare for minors and transgender athletes in women’s sports.
Minaj also suggested she doesn’t want messaging around Black pride extended to other groups in ways that make white children feel excluded. “Recently in the media it’s almost been like a push to — it’s not just making young Black children feel proud of themselves, but almost like doing that, and at the same time telling other children not to be proud of themselves,” she said.
“I don’t want what was done to little Black girls done to little white girls,” Minaj continued. “I don’t want it done to any girls. I want all the little girls in the world to know that you are unique, you are beautiful, you are you.”
That framing echoes conservative critiques of diversity initiatives and critical race theory, suggesting that efforts to uplift historically marginalized groups somehow harm white children. The comments provoked immediate criticism from progressives who noted that movements celebrating Black pride emerged specifically because Black children faced systemic messaging telling them they were inferior.
The “Assassin JD Vance” Gaffe Created Awkward Viral Moment
The most unfortunately memorable moment came when Minaj inadvertently praised “the assassin JD Vance” while discussing why she admires both Trump and the vice president. She appeared to be using “assassin” as slang meaning someone highly skilled or dangerous to opponents, but the word choice created immediate shock given she was standing next to Erika Kirk, whose husband was killed by a sniper three and a half months earlier.
Video captured on Tennessee Holler’s Twitter account shows the moment: Minaj saying Trump and Vance are “handsome” and “great role models,” then adding something about “the assassin JD Vance” before realizing her verbal mistake. Kirk quickly moved to rescue the awkward moment, but the damage was done.
The gaffe went viral immediately, with critics seizing on it as evidence Minaj was unprepared, insensitive, or simply reading from scripts without understanding context. Conservative defenders argued she clearly meant no harm and was using contemporary slang innocuously. Regardless of intent, the moment highlighted the risks of celebrity political appearances where unscripted comments can overshadow carefully planned messaging.
How Nicki Minaj’s Political Evolution Actually Happened
Minaj’s transformation from Trump critic to Trump supporter didn’t occur overnight. The shift began with her November 2024 visit to the United Nations, where she spoke about persecution of Christians in Nigeria at an event facilitated by Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz.
Trump had threatened to mobilize U.S. forces against Islamist terrorists killing Christians in Nigeria, labeling it a “country of particular concern” because of religious violence. Minaj praised Trump’s move on social media, posting on X: “Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian. Let’s remember to lift them up in prayer.”
That collaboration opened channels between Minaj and Trump world figures. She began boosting pro-Trump content on social media, sharing videos of Trump with Elon Musk and posts highlighting Trump administration accomplishments. She attacked Gavin Newsom repeatedly throughout December, using Trump’s “Newscum” nickname and mocking him over transgender issues and potential presidential ambitions.
Earlier in December, Vice President JD Vance weighed in on Minaj’s long-running feud with rapper Cardi B, writing “Nicki>Cardi” on X in response to Minaj’s post reading “Vance > Rants.” That public endorsement from the vice president likely accelerated Minaj’s embrace of Trump world as she saw political figures actively courting her support.
Minaj told the AmericaFest crowd Sunday, “It’s OK to change your mind.” That statement positions her political transformation as personal growth rather than opportunistic alignment with power. She framed her current views as more authentic than her previous progressive positions, suggesting she was “pushed around” before finding courage to speak her truth.
The evolution mirrors patterns seen with other celebrities who shifted rightward, often citing feeling silenced or attacked by progressive audiences for expressing heterodox views. Whether Minaj genuinely changed her mind on core issues or strategically repositioned herself for business or personal reasons remains debated.
Why Minaj’s Endorsement Matters More Than Most Celebrity Political Statements
Nicki Minaj isn’t just another celebrity. She’s one of the most successful and influential rappers of the past two decades, with 12 Grammy nominations, numerous chart-topping hits including “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda,” and “Starships,” and a cultural impact extending far beyond music into fashion, social media, and popular culture broadly.
Her fanbase—the “Barbz” as they call themselves—is predominantly young, female, racially diverse, and until now, largely progressive. Many are LGBTQ. Many supported progressive politicians and causes that Minaj’s music and persona seemed to align with. Her transformation represents a potential fracture in the assumption that Black female artists with diverse fanbases will naturally oppose Trump and conservative politics.
The demographic significance can’t be overstated. Trump and Republicans have struggled with young voters, women, and people of color throughout Trump’s political career. Minaj potentially provides cultural permission for some members of those demographics to reconsider their political alignments or at least view Trump less negatively.
Conservative media immediately recognized this value. Turning Point USA positioned Minaj’s appearance as validating their movement’s appeal beyond stereotypical conservative demographics. The fact that “one of the most famous artists of the last 20 years” would appear at “the largest conservative event in the country” demonstrated, in their framing, that conservative politics has cultural momentum that progressives refuse to acknowledge.
Whether Minaj actually moves voters or just provides talking points for conservative commentators remains uncertain. Celebrity endorsements historically show mixed effectiveness. But Minaj’s specific demographic profile—successful Black woman in hip-hop, a genre and community traditionally progressive—makes her Trump support symbolically powerful regardless of whether it changes voting behavior.
The Backlash From Fans and Progressive Commentators Came Immediately
Social media erupted within minutes of video clips circulating. Longtime Minaj fans expressed devastation, betrayal, and anger. The “#NickiMinajIsOverParty” hashtag trended briefly as former supporters announced they were done with the rapper.
Progressive commentators focused on several angles of criticism. Many highlighted Minaj’s anti-transgender statements as particularly harmful, noting that LGBTQ youth already face elevated suicide risks and that rhetoric from influential figures like Minaj contributes to hostile environments that endanger lives.
Others pointed to the hypocrisy of Minaj praising Trump’s “integrity” given Trump’s well-documented history of lies, fraudulent business practices, sexual assault allegations, and attempts to overturn election results through violence on January 6, 2021. Critics argued that anyone claiming Trump operates with “integrity intact” either doesn’t know the facts or doesn’t care about truth.
Black activists expressed particular dismay, noting that Trump’s policies have consistently harmed Black communities through criminal justice policies, housing discrimination, pandemic response failures, and inflammatory rhetoric. Minaj positioning Trump as someone fighting “the bad guys” ignored his own role implementing policies that hurt people who look like her.
The conservative response celebrated Minaj’s courage while dismissing criticism as proving her point about progressives being “disgruntled.” Fox News ran multiple segments praising Minaj’s “savage reply” to backlash. Breitbart framed her appearance as honoring Charlie Kirk’s martyrdom. The Washington Times positioned her as evidence that “people are no longer using their minds” and that independent thinking requires rejecting progressive orthodoxy.
That framing—presenting support for Trump as brave resistance to conformity—appeals to people who feel alienated from progressive spaces but may not identify as conservative. Minaj’s message that “we’re the cool kids” attempts rebranding conservatism as rebellious rather than reactionary, appealing to audiences who view themselves as nonconformists.
The Shift That Might Not Last
Nicki Minaj praised Donald Trump at a conservative conference honoring an assassinated activist, triggering one of 2025’s most intense celebrity political controversies. Her full-throated endorsement represents either genuine ideological transformation or strategic repositioning that could reshape how some demographics view Trump and conservative politics.
The long-term impact depends on whether Minaj sustains this alignment or pivots again as political winds shift. Celebrity political statements often prove ephemeral. Kanye West’s 2018 Trump support faded quickly. Other celebrities who expressed conservative views saw career impacts that made continued political engagement costly.
Minaj’s Sunday appearance might represent the beginning of sustained conservative activism, or it might be a momentary alliance based on specific issues like Nigeria’s Christian persecution that doesn’t translate into broader political alignment. Her statement that “it’s OK to change your mind” could be self-awareness that today’s position might not be tomorrow’s.
Understanding why this controversy matters requires recognizing that celebrity culture and politics have become inseparable. Minaj’s endorsement provides cultural validation Trump desperately seeks among demographics where he remains deeply unpopular. Whether that validation translates into votes, policy support, or just temporary headlines will determine if this moment becomes historically significant or just another forgotten celebrity political detour.
Organizations watching cultural politics will analyze whether Minaj’s transformation represents an emerging pattern of celebrities feeling safer embracing conservative positions, or just an outlier that confirms most entertainers still avoid aligning with Trump regardless of personal beliefs.
Quick Answers to What Everyone’s Asking
Did Nicki Minaj endorse Donald Trump?
Yes, explicitly. At Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on December 21, 2025, Minaj said she has “the utmost respect and admiration for our president” and praised Trump for giving people “hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys.” She called Trump and JD Vance “role models” and said the administration is “full of people with heart and soul” who “make me feel proud to be American.” This represents a full endorsement, not casual praise.
Why did Nicki Minaj suddenly support Trump?
Her shift began with collaboration on Nigeria Christian persecution issues in November 2024. Trump designated Nigeria a “country of particular concern” for religious violence, which Minaj praised. That opened channels with Trump advisers. She subsequently attacked California Governor Gavin Newsom over transgender issues, aligned with conservative positions on gender, and was courted by Vice President Vance who publicly sided with her in her Cardi B feud. She claims she changed her mind after being “pushed around” by progressives.
What did Nicki Minaj say about JD Vance?
Minaj accidentally referred to “the assassin JD Vance” while praising him, creating an awkward viral moment since she was standing next to Erika Kirk whose husband was assassinated three months earlier. She appeared to be using “assassin” as slang for someone skilled, but the word choice shocked observers. She meant to praise Vance and Trump as “relatable” leaders who are “one of us.”
Did Nicki Minaj attack transgender people?
Yes. Minaj criticized California Governor Newsom for supporting transgender children, read tweets mocking “wanting to see trans kids,” and said “if you are born a boy, be a boy, there is nothing wrong with being a boy.” Those statements align with conservative opposition to gender-affirming care and represent significant departures from her previous LGBTQ-friendly public persona.
How are Nicki Minaj fans reacting?
Reactions split sharply. Many longtime fans expressed devastation and betrayal, with #NickiMinajIsOverParty trending briefly as former supporters announced they’re done with her. Progressive fans particularly criticized her anti-transgender statements as harmful. Conservative media celebrated her “courage” while her defenders claim critics prove her point about progressives being intolerant of different viewpoints.
Who is Erika Kirk?
Erika Kirk is the widow of Charlie Kirk, Turning Point USA’s founder who was assassinated by a sniper on September 10, 2025. She recently became CEO of the organization and interviewed Minaj at AmericaFest. The emotional context of the first major conference since Charlie Kirk’s death gave Minaj’s appearance additional significance as honoring his legacy and supposed martyrdom for free speech.
Has Nicki Minaj been conservative before?
No. In 2018, Minaj condemned Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated 5,000+ children from families at the Mexico border. She historically aligned with progressive causes and LGBTQ rights. Her transformation represents a complete reversal that she characterizes as personal growth and finding courage to express authentic views rather than being “pushed around.”
Will this hurt Nicki Minaj’s career?
Unknown. Some fans will abandon her, but she may gain conservative supporters. The impact depends on whether she sustains this political alignment or pivots again. Kanye West’s 2018 Trump support faded quickly without long-term career damage. If Minaj continues conservative activism, she risks alienating her predominantly progressive, diverse fanbase. If she pivots back, conservatives may view her as opportunistic.
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