On Sunday, December 21, Nicki Minaj made an unannounced appearance at a conservative summit in Arizona organized to honor the memory of the late activist Charlie Kirk. During her time on stage, the rap icon offered glowing remarks regarding President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, characterizing them as “role models” for the modern era.
The hip-hop powerhouse sat for an interview with Erika Kirk—widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk—at the organization’s flagship AmericaFest convention. The conversation delved into Minaj’s burgeoning support for Trump, a stark departure from her previous public criticisms, as well as her recent advocacy against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj’s pivot toward the Make America Great Again movement has ignited significant discourse, particularly as her political identity was once considered difficult to categorize. Her presence at this high-profile conservative youth event appears to solidify her new status as a prominent figure within the MAGA sphere.
During the dialogue, Minaj derided California Governor Gavin Newsom using a derogatory nickname coined by Trump. She expressed deep admiration for the Republican leadership, noting that Erika Kirk had recently endorsed the Vice President’s future endeavors.
“This administration is comprised of individuals with genuine heart and soul; they make me incredibly proud,” Minaj stated. “Both of them possess an uncanny ability to be truly relatable.”
The session included a brief, tense moment when Minaj described Vance’s political effectiveness using the word “assassin.” The choice of words hung heavily in the air, given that Erika Kirk’s husband was assassinated only months earlier in September. After a momentary pause of regret from the artist and a visible reaction from Kirk, the host quickly dismissed the slip. “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman,” Kirk told the murmuring crowd, emphasizing their shared focus on “building” for the future.
Minaj’s political shift gained momentum last month after she amplified a Truth Social post from Trump regarding sanctions against Nigeria for failing to protect religious minorities. While experts suggest the conflict in West Africa is multifaceted, Minaj expressed a profound sense of gratitude for American religious liberties, which led to her participation in a high-level panel at the United Nations alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz.
Addressing the inevitable friction her new stance has caused within the music industry, Minaj remained undeterred. She argued that independent thinking has become a “controversial” act because “people are no longer using their minds.” When Kirk commended her bravery in the face of Hollywood backlash, Minaj shrugged it off, claiming she doesn’t even notice her detractors.
“We’re the cool kids,” Minaj concluded.
This political evolution marks a total reversal from Minaj’s 2018 stance. The “Super Freaky Girl” singer, who immigrated to the U.S. from Trinidad at age five, was once a vocal critic of the Trump administration’s “zero-tolerance” border policies. At the time, she shared her own story as an immigrant to highlight the “terror and panic” felt by families separated at the border.
Reflecting on her transformation while on stage in Phoenix, Minaj offered a simple justification for her current trajectory: “It’s OK to change your mind.”
