Rap superstar Nicki Minaj made headlines on Sunday, December 21, with a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention in Arizona. On stage, she openly praised former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “role models” for young men and expressing pride in their administration. The declaration represents a notable shift for the Trinidadian-born artist, who has previously criticized Trump’s policies.

During the event, Minaj was interviewed by Erika Kirk, widow of the late activist Charlie Kirk, where she discussed her support for Trump and her recent efforts denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria. Her public alignment with the MAGA movement has drawn widespread attention, cementing her role as a prominent figure embracing conservative causes in the entertainment world.

Minaj also engaged in pointed political commentary, mocking California Governor Gavin Newsom with the nickname “New-scum,” echoing terminology previously used by Trump. She praised both Trump and Vance, saying, “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them,” 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.” The moment highlighted her commitment to publicly supporting figures she admires despite potential backlash.

An awkward moment occurred when Minaj referred to Vance as an “assassin” while praising his political acumen. She immediately paused, covering her mouth as the audience murmured. Erika Kirk quickly intervened, stating, “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman,” showing solidarity with Minaj.

Beyond endorsements, Minaj has also highlighted Trump’s messaging on Truth Social, particularly regarding potential sanctions on Nigeria over the persecution of Christians. Sharing her reaction on X, she wrote, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.” This activism led to an invitation for her to speak at a U.S. mission to the United Nations panel alongside Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders, further cementing her emerging political profile.

Addressing criticism, Minaj stated she was tired of being “pushed around” and argued that expressing diverse ideas is now often seen as controversial. Erika Kirk praised Minaj’s courage in facing industry backlash for supporting Trump. Minaj brushed off detractors, saying, “I didn’t notice. We don’t even think about them,” to which Kirk responded, “We’re too busy building, right?” Minaj concluded, “We’re the cool kids,” emphasizing her independence in choosing her political path.

This stance marks a sharp contrast from 2018, when Minaj condemned Trump’s “zero-tolerance” immigration policy, which resulted in thousands of children being separated from their families at the Mexico border. At the time, Minaj, who immigrated to the U.S. at five, identified as an “illegal immigrant” and spoke out about her fear for affected children. On stage with Erika Kirk, she now stated, “It’s OK to change your mind,” signaling a significant evolution in her political outlook.