The White House has clarified that the 'Trump Gold Card' flaunted by rapper Nicki Minaj is merely a souvenir, not an official visa document. A White House official told The New York Times that the card, which features President Donald Trump's face, holds no legal value as a visa or immigration document.
Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, recently shared images of the gold card on social media, claiming she received it free of charge. The card is part of a programme that offers a fast track to US citizenship for those who donate $1 million to the US Treasury and pay a $15,000 processing fee. However, the White House official noted that Minaj has been a legal permanent resident for about 20 years and is already petitioning for citizenship, making the card unnecessary for her.
The rapper obtained the card after attending a White House event on Wednesday promoting children's investment accounts established under a Trump-era spending package. At the event, Trump praised Minaj as 'the greatest' and 'the most successful female rapper in history,' adding that she had invested 'hundreds of thousands of dollars' in the accounts. Minaj, who has publicly supported Trump, called herself his 'No. 1 fan' and said criticism only motivates her to support him more.
Minaj has faced backlash from fans and civil rights groups for her alignment with Trump, including an appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest. Following the White House event, Fox News host Laura Ingraham mistakenly confused Minaj with her rival Cardi B, an error she quickly corrected on air.
