The American rapper, long associated with progressive causes, has shown strong support for Donald Trump and to his vice-president at a conservative rally in Arizona. A stance that contrasts sharply with his past commitments and fuels strong reactions.
Open public support for AmericaFest
Invited to AmericaFest on December 19, the major annual gathering of the American right organized by Turning Point USA in Phoenix, Nicki Minaj made numerous laudatory statements about Donald Trump and his vice president, JD Vance. Before tens of thousands of attendees, the rapper praised what she described as the "hope" instilled by the president, affirming her "greatest respect" for an administration she considers "full of heart and generosity," according to reports by AFP.
During this speech, the artist also praised the Trump-Vance duo, calling them “powerful and intelligent men.” She then acknowledged that this stance might be confusing for some of her audience, adding that “people have the right to change their minds,” according to AFP.
A stark contrast to his past stances
This conservative shift contrasts sharply with the image Nicki Minaj has long cultivated. The rapper became known for her support of feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and migrant rights. The Washington Post notes, in particular, that she refused to perform in Saudi Arabia in 2019, citing the human rights situation, and that she denounced Donald Trump's immigration policies during his first term, following the separation of migrant children from their parents.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago and arriving in the United States as a child, the artist had also expressed her satisfaction with the election of Joe Biden in 2020. Since then, her positions have evolved: during the Covid-19 crisis, she moved closer to anti-vaccine circles, then increased her support for Donald Trump on social media. Last November, she notably thanked him for having, in her view, made the situation of Christians in Nigeria a priority, an interpretation disputed by independent experts, as reported by several American media outlets.
