Rapper Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, praising Donald Trump and JD Vance as 'role models' and aligning with the MAGA movement. She discussed her newfound support for Trump, denounced violence against Christians in Nigeria, and mocked Gov. Gavin Newsom, dismissing backlash from the entertainment industry.
Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, a conservative gathering memorializing late activist Charlie Kirk, where she publicly praised President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them 'role models' for young men. Interviewed by Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, Minaj discussed her recent alignment with the Make America Great Again movement, a notable shift given her past condemnation of Trump, particularly his 2018 immigration policies. The rap star also used her time on stage to denounce violence against Christians in Nigeria, expressing gratitude for the freedom of worship in the U.S. after seeing a post by Trump on the matter. Minaj mocked California Gov. Gavin Newsom, referring to him as 'New-scum,' a nickname given by Trump. Her appearance included an awkward moment when she described Vance as an 'assassin' in an attempt to praise his political skills. Minaj stated she was 'tired of being pushed around' and that speaking one's mind with different ideas is controversial, dismissing any backlash from the entertainment industry by asserting, 'We’re the cool kids.' She acknowledged that 'it’s OK to change your mind,' contrasting with her previous stance where she identified as an 'illegal immigrant' and condemned Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy.
