‘Role models’: Nicki Minaj backs Trump and Vance in political turn

Nicki Minaj has described Donald Trump as “handsome” and “dashing” as she made a surprise appearance at a conservative event alongside Erika Kirk. Joining the Turning Point CEO at the organisation’s AmericaFest convention, the Anaconda rapper championed Trump and Vice President JD Vance, describing the leaders as “role models” for young men, the Associated Press reported. “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.” According to PEOPLE, the controversial rapper told Kirk she was “tired” of being “pushed around” and was “not going to back down ever again”, fully throwing her support behind the current Government. “I have something inside of me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realise, ‘wait a minute, why do I even care about these people and what they think’?” Kirk thanked the Trinidadian musician for her courage as the pair praised one another and discussed the US’ “persecution” of Christians. The Phoenix event was dedicated to Kirk’s late husband Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a Utah Valley University speaking appearance on September 10. Kirk and Minaj also discussed the erosion of traditional gender roles, expressing anti-trans sentiments as the Starships singer complained that boys aren’t allowed to be masculine, according to the Los Angeles Times. “There is nothing wrong with being a boy. How about that? How powerful is that? Boys will be boys and there is nothing wrong with that.” Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty became a registered sex offender in 1995 following his conviction for attempted sexual assault. She spoke at the New York United Nations in November, joining US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz to speak about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. She had previously been critical of the world leader, claiming she would not jump on the Trump “bandwagon” in 2020. However, more recently, Minaj has openly supported right-leaning policies, responding to criticism of her alignment with the current administration in a series of posts. “Imagine hearing that Christians are being MURDERED & making it about you being gay,” she wrote on X. In a follow-up reply, she said “imagine hearing that Christians are being persecuted & not being able to have empathy for THEM b/c you are blinded by your own personal obsession with Trump”.