Nicki Minaj Makes Surprise Appearance at Conservative Conference, Endorses Trump Administration
In a surprising political crossover, rap superstar Nicki Minaj made an unexpected appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on December 21, arriving hand-in-hand with the organization’s new CEO, Erika Kirk. The 43-year-old Grammy-nominated artist walked into Phoenix’s Convention Center to the sound of her hit song “Super Bass” playing in the background, creating a striking scene as conservative attendees cheered her arrival. The warm reception between Minaj and Kirk was evident as they embraced on stage, with Kirk planting a kiss on Minaj’s cheek while they waved to the packed audience. This unusual alliance between one of hip-hop’s most recognizable figures and a prominent conservative organization immediately captured public attention.
During her conversation with Kirk, Minaj enthusiastically expressed her support for President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, calling them “amazing role models.” However, a slightly awkward moment occurred when Minaj referred to Vance as “the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” before quickly realizing her unfortunate choice of words. She appeared visibly embarrassed, covering her mouth with her hand mid-sentence. Kirk graciously diffused the tension, reassuring Minaj: “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard. So, you’re fine. I love you, and you have to laugh about it — truly. I have been called every single thing, and you know what? God is so good, you let it roll right off your back.” This moment of human vulnerability from Minaj and compassionate understanding from Kirk resonated with the audience.
The context of Kirk’s comment carries particular weight given her personal tragedy. Erika Kirk was named CEO of Turning Point USA in September following the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk, the organization’s former chairman, who died at just 31 years old. In a heartbreaking Fox News interview last month, Erika shared how she’s helping her young daughter cope with the loss: “My daughter continues to ask [where he is], but it’s really sweet because I keep explaining to her a few things. I said, ‘If ever you want to talk to Daddy, you just look up to the sky and start talking to him — he can hear you.’ I told her, ‘Daddy is in heaven.’ She goes, ‘You think I could go sometime?’ I said, ‘Baby, we will all go one day.'” This deeply personal connection to political violence makes the inadvertent “assassin” reference all the more poignant, while demonstrating Kirk’s remarkable grace under pressure.
Throughout her appearance, Minaj positioned herself as a defender of Christian values, claiming that Christians were being “silenced” and declaring that those days are over. “We won’t be silenced ever again, we will speak up for Christians wherever they are in this world,” she proclaimed to enthusiastic applause. Minaj went on to express “utmost respect and admiration” for President Trump, suggesting he has “given so many people hope that there’s a chance to beat the bad guys and to win.” This framing of politics in such stark moral terms—with clear heroes and villains—resonated with the conservative audience, even as it represented a departure from the typically progressive stances of most entertainment industry figures.
Minaj drew parallels between herself and Trump, noting their shared Queens, New York, origins and highlighting what she sees as his resilience. “He’s from Queens, New York, like me, but what it’s shown me, personally, is sometimes—even in the worst feeling times in your life, you think you’re never gonna come back from it. But, you do, and our president shows that. He’s been through every single thing a person can go through publicly and have constantly been lied on. It’s not really that funny until you’re in that person’s shoes.” This personal connection seemed to humanize Trump in Minaj’s narrative, casting him not as a polarizing political figure but as a fellow New Yorker who overcame adversity—a framing that might resonate with her diverse fanbase in ways traditional conservative messaging often doesn’t.
The rapper concluded her remarks by emphasizing what she perceives as the relatability of both Trump and Vance, despite their positions of power. “I love both of them. They’re both powerful men, smart, strong [and] all of that but they have an uncanny ability to be someone you can relate to. I relate to them. When I hear them speak, I know that they’re one of us,” Minaj said, describing the Trump administration as “full of people with heart and soul.” This celebrity endorsement represents a significant cultural moment where the traditional political divides between entertainment figures and conservative politics appeared to blur. Whether Minaj’s appearance signals a broader shift in celebrity political alignment or stands as an isolated crossover remains to be seen, but it certainly challenged conventional expectations about the intersection of pop culture and conservative politics in America.
