Nicki Minaj Shocks Conservatives at Turning Point USA Event with Praise for Trump and Vance

By Rob Redding

Editor & Publisher

NEW YORK, Dec. 22, 2025, 11 a.m. — In an unexpected appearance at Arizona’s Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, rapper Nicki Minaj took the stage to praise conservative leaders and share her changing political views. The Grammy-nominated artist, famous for hits like “Super Freaky Girl” and “Anaconda,” made headlines when she called President Donald Trump and Senator JD Vance “role models” for young men.

Minaj, who recently showed support for the Make America Great Again movement, sat down for an interview with Erika Kirk, the widow of the late activist Charlie Kirk. During the interview, she spoke about her support for Trump, despite having criticized him in the past. She also made a joking remark about California’s Governor Gavin Newsom, calling him “New-scum,” a nickname Trump had popularized.

The artist expressed admiration for the current administration. She said, “This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud.” She also referred to Vice President Vance as “an assassin,” a comment she seemed to regret shortly afterward. Kirk appeared to wipe a tear from her eye as the crowd murmured.

Minaj was open about her views on free speech. She emphasized that “people are no longer using their minds” and encouraged others to speak their minds, even if their ideas are controversial. Her appearance at the event has sparked a lot of discussion about her political stance and her support for conservative figures.

Her political journey has been unusual. In 2018, she condemned Trump’s immigration policies, sharing her own story of arriving in the United States as a child. Now, she seems to be embracing a more conservative viewpoint, praising Trump’s leadership and criticizing violence in Nigeria.

Despite some backlash from the entertainment industry, Minaj remains confident. She told the audience, “It’s OK to change your mind.” Her words resonated with many in attendance, and her appearance signals a new chapter for her in the political landscape.

Her presence at Turning Point USA’s convention highlights how the lines between entertainment and politics are becoming more blurred. Minaj’s shift shows that even celebrities can change their views and support causes they once opposed.

Rob Redding is the author of the forthcoming book Black Power in the Age of Artificial Supremacy Featuring Redding-Shim Kwet Yung out on Jan. 5, 2026. He is the bestselling author of 17 books. He is the host of Redding News Review Unrestricted and creator of ReddingNewsReview.com. He is also an emerging visual artist who lives and teaches at two colleges in New York City.