Nicki Minaj’s surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest alongside Erika Kirk has ignited intense backlash from fans and critics alike — and it’s not just because she showed up at a conservative political event.
On December 21 in Phoenix, the rap superstar took the stage with Erika Kirk, widow of the late TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, for a conversation that quickly went viral. Minaj offered unexpected praise for former President Donald Trump and current Vice President J.D. Vance as “amazing role models,” even calling Trump “handsome and dashing.” But it was her next line that lit up social media: she referred to Vance as “the assassin” before realizing how awkward that phrasing sounded given the recent assassination of Charlie Kirk — a moment that visibly startled her and drew a mix of laughter and gasps from the audience.
Erika Kirk, however, tried to diffuse the moment onstage, reassuring Minaj that she was “fine” and that she understood Minaj’s intent despite the gaffe.
The appearance at AmericaFest — a major conservative youth gathering hosted by TPUSA — wasn’t a simple appearance: Minaj openly aligned with leadership in the Trump-era Republican sphere in a way that most of her fanbase hasn’t seen before. Over recent months, she’s made statements echoing Trump’s rhetoric on issues like religious persecution and shared supportive posts connected with the administration, fueling speculation she’s embraced a more overtly MAGA-aligned position.
That shift represents a striking evolution for the artist. Historically, Nicki Minaj hasn’t been labeled a Republican supporter — she notoriously criticized Trump’s immigration stances earlier in his presidency and largely avoided strong partisan labels for much of her career.
But in recent months her social media posts and public comments have aligned more often with conservative talking points, leaving longtime fans confused and, in many cases, deeply disappointed.
