Nicki Minaj has shocked many after she stepped into unfamiliar political territory on Sunday, taking the stage at a conservative gathering in Arizona to publicly align herself with figures she once opposed and to signal a sharp turn in her political posture.
The rapper made a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, the annual convention hosted by Turning Point USA, where attendees were also paying tribute to the organization’s late founder, Charlie Kirk. During an onstage conversation with Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, Minaj praised President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, describing both men as “role models” for young men.
The moment highlighted a shift that has garnered attention in both political and entertainment circles. Minaj, whose political views have long been difficult to categorize, had previously condemned Trump, including during his first term. Her presence at Turning Point USA’s flagship event, however, placed her squarely before one of the most influential youth-driven conservative organizations in the country, reinforcing her growing association with the Make America Great Again movement.
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During the discussion, Minaj also targeted California Gov. Gavin Newsom, mocking him by using the nickname New-scum, a term Trump has used in the past. Newsom, a Democrat, is widely seen as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential race. Minaj, meanwhile, voiced admiration for both Trump and Vance. Erika Kirk, who has since assumed leadership of Turning Point USA, has endorsed Vance despite his not having announced any presidential ambitions.
“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 said. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
The appearance included a moment of tension when Minaj, while attempting to compliment Vance’s political instincts, referred to him as an “assassin.” She immediately paused, appearing to reconsider the phrasing. As the audience reacted and Erika Kirk seemed emotional, Minaj covered her mouth while murmurs spread through the crowd, AP reported.
“If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman,” Erika Kirk said. She became a widow after Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September.
Apart from domestic politics, Minaj also addressed her recent comments about violence against Christians in Nigeria. Last month, she shared a post from Trump on his Truth Social platform that discussed potential sanctions against Nigeria over the government’s failure to curb persecution of Christians. Analysts and residents have noted that the violence in the country is far more complex than a single narrative suggests.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” Minaj wrote on X. That post later led to an invitation for her to participate in a panel discussion at the United States mission to the United Nations alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders.
Back on the AmericaFest stage, Minaj described her political outspokenness as a response to feeling constrained. She said she was tired of being “pushed around” and argued that expressing differing viewpoints has become controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” Erika Kirk praised Minaj for being “courageous,” referencing criticism the rapper has faced from within the entertainment industry over her support for Trump.
“I didn’t notice,” Minaj replied. “We don’t even think about them.”
Kirk followed up by saying “we don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?”
“We’re the cool kids,” Minaj said.
Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, is widely known for chart-topping songs such as “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda” and “Starships,” and has earned 12 Grammy nominations during her career. Her political evolution stands in contrast to earlier moments, including in 2018 when she joined other celebrities in condemning Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that separated thousands of children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
At the time, she spoke publicly about immigrating to the United States at age 5 and described herself as an “illegal immigrant.”
“This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?” she wrote on Instagram.
Reflecting on her changing stance during Sunday’s appearance, Minaj offered a simple justification.
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Onstage with Erika Kirk, she said, “it’s OK to change your mind.”
