In 2020, Nicki Minaj publicly rejected the idea of supporting Donald Trump, citing his immigration policies and the separation of migrant families. Five years later, she has emerged as one of his most outspoken celebrity supporters, openly praising both Trump and his administration.
Nicki Minaj’s dramatic political shift has raised questions among fans and observers, especially given her past criticism of Trump’s rhetoric and policies.
Praise at Conservative Conference
Minaj’s latest comments came during an interview at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spoke with Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. During the discussion, Nicki Minaj praised Trump as “handsome” and “dashing” and also expressed admiration for Vice President JD Vance.
“I love both of them,” Minaj said, adding that they have a relatable personal style that resonates with supporters.
Her remarks were later acknowledged by Vance, who said on social media that Minaj had made a “profound” statement at the event. Minaj has since embraced the attention, resharing posts suggesting she gained more than 100,000 followers following her public alignment with the MAGA movement.
Past Criticism of Trump
Minaj’s current stance stands in sharp contrast to her earlier views. Fifteen years ago, she criticized Trump—then a reality TV star—as an example of sexism in entertainment. In the MTV documentary My Time Now, she argued that assertive women are judged more harshly than men for the same behavior, referencing Trump’s public persona on The Apprentice.
Her opinions remained mixed during Trump’s first presidential campaign in 2015, when she described him as entertaining but criticized his tone and approach. By 2016, her criticism became more direct. In her freestyle “Black Barbies,” released the same month Trump was elected, she referenced his immigration rhetoric in a critical light.
Immigration and a Change in Tone
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Minaj has spoken openly about immigrating to the United States as a child without legal status. In 2018, she condemned the Trump administration’s family separation policy at the US-Mexico border, describing it as deeply personal and frightening.
At a 2020 conference, she reiterated that those policies were the main reason she refused to support Trump at the time, saying she could not imagine children being separated from their parents after fleeing poverty or conflict.
However, her public tone began to change during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, Minaj drew widespread attention after sharing an unverified claim about vaccine side effects, leading to backlash from medical experts and renewed interest from anti-vaccine groups online.
Growing Alignment With Trump Politics
By 2025, Nicki Minaj was reposting White House videos on TikTok, some promoting Trump’s policies on immigration and gender issues. After praising a Trump post on Truth Social about Nigeria, she was invited by US officials to speak on concerns about Christian communities there, a move she said was motivated by her fan base in the country.
Her growing political involvement has divided her audience. Some fans have publicly distanced themselves from Nicki Minaj on social media, while others continue to support her outspoken stance.
Nicki Minaj now joins a small group of hip hop artists, including Kodak Black and Lil Wayne, who have openly supported Trump despite criticism from parts of their fan base.
Music Career Takes a Back Seat
While Minaj remains highly visible politically, her involvement in music has slowed. She recently announced that a new album scheduled for release in March 2026 would no longer move forward. The announcement was later deleted, adding further uncertainty about her future plans in the industry.