Rap superstar Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention in Arizona on Sunday, December 21, where she publicly endorsed former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. During her time on stage, Minaj lauded both Trump and Vance, calling them “role models” for young men and expressing pride in their administration. This public declaration marks a significant shift for the Trinidadian-born artist, who has previously been critical of Trump.

Minaj was interviewed by Erika Kirk, the widow of late activist Charlie Kirk, focusing on her newfound support for Trump and her recent actions in denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria. Her alignment with the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement has garnered considerable interest, especially given her past condemnation of Trump’s policies. However, her appearance at the flagship conservative youth event appears to solidify her status as a MAGA acolyte.

During the event, Minaj did not shy away from political commentary, mocking California Governor Gavin Newsom with the nickname “New-scum,” a moniker previously used by Trump. She expressed deep admiration for the Republican president and Vance, despite the latter not having officially announced a presidential run. “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them,” Minaj stated, adding, “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.”

An awkward moment arose when Minaj attempted to praise Vance’s political acumen by describing him as an “assassin.” She quickly paused, seemingly regretting her word choice, and put her hand over her mouth as the crowd murmured. Erika Kirk, who became a widow after Charlie Kirk’s assassination in September, quickly interjected, saying, “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman,” offering support to Minaj.

Minaj’s recent foray into political activism also includes sharing a message from Trump’s Truth Social network regarding potential sanctions against Nigeria for its government’s alleged failure to address the persecution of Christians. While experts suggest the violence in Nigeria is more complex, Minaj shared on X, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.” This led to an invitation for her to speak at a panel at the U.S. mission to the United Nations alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders.

Addressing criticism, Minaj stated she was tired of being “pushed around” and argued that expressing diverse ideas is often deemed controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.” Erika Kirk thanked Minaj for her courage in the face of backlash from the entertainment industry for supporting Trump. Minaj dismissed the critics, saying, “I didn’t notice. We don’t even think about them.” Kirk echoed, “We don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?” to which Minaj responded, “We’re the cool kids.”

This current stance contrasts sharply with her views in 2018 when she condemned Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy, which led to the separation of over 5,000 children from their families at the Mexico border. At that time, Minaj, who arrived in the U.S. at five years old, identified herself as an “illegal immigrant” and expressed terror and panic for the affected children. On stage with Erika Kirk, Minaj simply stated, “It’s OK to change your mind,” signaling her political evolution.