Erika Kirk and Nicki Minaj talk on stage during AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA summit since the death of Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. on December 21, 2025
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Female rapper Nicki Minaj on Sunday (December 21, 2025) made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona that was memorialising late activist Charlie Kirk, and used her time on stage to praise President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling them “role models” for young men.
The rap star was interviewed at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, about her newly found support for Mr. Trump — someone she had condemned in the past — and about her actions denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria.
The female rapper’s recent alignment with the Make America Great Again movement has sparked some interest, given her past criticism of Mr. Trump, despite the artist’s own political ideology being difficult to pin down. But her appearance Sunday at the flagship event for the powerful conservative youth organisation may shore up her status as a MAGA acolyte.
Ms. Minaj mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom, referring to him as New-scum, a nickname Mr. Trump gave him. Mr. Newsom, a Democrat, has 2028 prospects. Ms. Minaj expressed admiration for the Republican president and Mr. Vance, who received an endorsement from Erika Kirk despite the fact that he has not said whether he will run for president. Ms. Kirk took over as leader of Turning Point.
“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,” Ms. Minaj said. “Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
Last month, the artist shared a message posted by Mr. Trump on his Truth Social network about potential actions to sanction Nigeria, saying the government is failing to rein in the persecution of Christians in the West African country. Experts and residents say the violence that has long plagued Nigeria isn’t so simply explained.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” Ms. Minaj shared on X. She was then invited to speak at a panel at the US mission to the United Nations along with U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders.
Ms. Minaj said she was tired of being “pushed around,” and she said that speaking your mind with different ideas is controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” Kirk thanked Minaj for being “courageous,” despite the backlash she is receiving from the entertainment industry for expressing support for Trump.
“I didn’t notice,” Ms. Minaj said. “We don’t even think about them.” Ms. Kirk then said, “We don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?”
“We’re the cool kids,” Ms. Minaj said.
The Trinidadian-born rapper is best known for her hits “Super Freaky Girl,” “Anaconda” and “Starships.” She has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards over the course of her career.
In 2018, Minaj was one of several celebrities condemning Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that split more than 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border. Back then, she shared her own story of arriving to the country at 5 years old, describing 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 posted then on Instagram.
On Sunday, on stage with Erika Kirk, Ms. Minaj said, “It’s OK to change your mind.”
Published – December 22, 2025 07:45 am IST
