In a stunning and politically charged appearance, global rap superstar Nicki Minaj declared former US President Donald Trump a "role model" before committing a deeply awkward verbal blunder in front of a grieving widow.
Surprise Endorsement at Conservative Gathering
The incident unfolded on 21 December 2025 at the Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference in Arizona. Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, made a surprise entrance hand-in-hand with Erika Kirk. Kirk is the widow of Charlie Kirk, the conservative activist and founder of Turning Point USA who was assassinated in September 2024. Erika Kirk now leads the organisation.
During an interview on stage, Minaj explained her recent public support for Trump, a figure she had previously criticised. She told the crowd of gathered Republicans, “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. Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.”
The Cringeworthy 'Assassin' Slip-Up
The moment took a drastic turn when the 43-year-old artist attempted to describe Vice President JD Vance’s political style. In a horrific gaffe, she referred to him as an "assassin" directly in front of Erika Kirk, whose husband was murdered.
According to reports, Minaj immediately appeared to freeze, seemingly realising her catastrophic word choice. The audience murmured in discomfort as Kirk was seen wiping a tear from her eye. Minaj placed a hand over her own mouth as the situation escalated from awkward to profoundly distressing.
Grace Under Pressure and Political Alignments
Displaying considerable grace, Erika Kirk defused the tension. She addressed the audience, saying, “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman.” Later, she thanked Minaj for being "courageous" in facing backlash from the entertainment industry for supporting Trump, to which Minaj replied, “I didn't notice.”
The rapper also stated she was tired of being "pushed around" and claimed that speaking one's mind is now controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” During the event, Erika Kirk also endorsed JD Vance, though he has not yet declared a run for the White House in the next election.
This appearance marks a dramatic shift for Minaj. In November 2025, she took to social media to reveal her support for Trump, particularly sharing his post about Christian persecution in Nigeria. This led to her speaking on a panel at the US mission to the United Nations. This contrasts sharply with her 2018 stance, when she condemned Trump's zero-tolerance immigration policy and shared her own story of arriving in the US as a child, describing herself then as an "illegal immigrant."
