Rapper Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance Sunday at a conservative rally in Arizona to honor the late activist Charlie Kirk and used her time on stage to praise the president. Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling them “role models” for young people.
The rap star was interviewed at the AmericaFest convention at Turning Point USA by Erica Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, about her newfound support for Trump – someone she has denounced in the past – and her actions condemning violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj mocked California Gov. Gavin Newsom as “The New Trash” (a nickname given to him by Trump) and expressed admiration for the Republican president and Vance, who received an endorsement from Erica Kirk. She took over as leader powerful conservative youth organization. Newsom, a Democrat, has his sights set on 2028.
“This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud. Our vice president, he makes me… well, I love them both,” Minaj said. “They both have this very strange ability to be someone you're close to.”
Minaj said she was tired of being “pushed around” and said that speaking her mind with different ideas was controversial because “people don't use their minds anymore.” Kirk thanked Minaj for her “courage” despite the backlash she is receiving from the entertainment industry for expressing support for Trump.
“I didn't notice,” Minaj said. “We don’t even think about them.” Kirk then said, “We don't have time for this. We're too busy building, right?”
“We’re cool guys,” Minaj said.
The Trinidad-born rapper is best known for his hits “Super Freaky Girl”, “Anaconda” and “Starships”. She has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards throughout her career.
In 2018, Minaj was one of several celebrities condemning Trump's actions. intolerance immigration policy, which separated more than 5,000 children from their families on the Mexican border. She then shared her own story of arriving in the country at age 5, calling herself an “illegal immigrant.”
“This scares me so much. Please stop this. Can you imagine this horror? & the panic these kids are feeling right now?” she posted on Instagram at the time.
On stage with Erica Kirk on Sunday, Minaj said, “It's okay to change your mind.”
