In a surprising political declaration, global rap superstar Nicki Minaj publicly expressed her admiration for former U.S. President Donald Trump and his Vice President, JD Vance. The unexpected endorsement occurred on December 21, 2025, during the final day of the Turning Point USA AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
A Surprise Guest with a Powerful Message
Minaj appeared as a surprise guest for an interview with Erika Kirk, widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, at the Phoenix Convention Center. The Grammy-nominated artist did not hold back, stating she had the "utmost respect and admiration for our president." She told the audience that Trump has given people hope to "beat the bad guys" while maintaining integrity.
Drawing a personal connection, Minaj highlighted that both she and Trump hail from Queens, New York. She framed his political resilience as a personal inspiration, stating, "What it’s shown me, personally, is sometimes even in the worst feeling times in your life, you think you’re never going to come back from it. But you do. And our president shows that."
Praise for Trump and Vance's Relatability
The "Anaconda" singer extended her praise to Vice President JD Vance, emphasizing their perceived authenticity. "I love both of them. They’re both powerful men. Smart, strong, all of that," Minaj said. "But both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to. I can relate to them."
She argued that both leaders "haven’t lost touch of the world" and possess the ability to "be real and make us proud to be American." Minaj described the entire Trump administration as being full of people with "heart and soul" who make her feel proud.
A Stance Against Political Pressure
During the conversation, Minaj positioned her appearance as an act of defiance against political conformity. She stated she was "tired of being pushed around" and vowed never to "back down" about her beliefs. The rapper criticized a culture she sees as intolerant of dissent.
"We’re not allowed to have a different opinion anymore," Minaj told Kirk. "We’re not allowed to think out loud anymore. This is not what the world used to feel like." She also took a jab at California Governor Gavin Newsom, repeating a common Trump-era insult by calling him "New-Scum."
A Notable Shift from Past Criticism
This current praise marks a significant reversal from Minaj's previous stance. In 2018, she was among numerous celebrities who condemned Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy, which led to the separation of thousands of children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border.
At the time, Minaj shared her own story of arriving in the U.S. as a child, calling herself an "illegal immigrant" on Instagram and pleading, "This is so scary to me. Please stop this." When asked about this change of heart during the AmericaFest interview, Minaj offered a simple justification: "It’s OK to change your mind."
The rapper's comments were quickly celebrated by figures within the Trump orbit. JD Vance himself quoted Minaj on social media platform X, endorsing her statement about inclusivity and beauty standards.
Minaj's appearance at the prominent conservative youth conference signals a continuing trend of celebrities publicly aligning with political figures, further blurring the lines between pop culture and partisan politics in the United States.
