A surprising declaration reverberated through the political landscape Wednesday as rapper Nicki Minaj publicly voiced unwavering support for former President Donald Trump. The artist, known to her fans as Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, stood alongside the former president at an event focused on a new financial initiative.
The event centered around “Trump accounts,” a program designed to provide seed money – initial $1,000 contributions – for retirement accounts opened for children born between 2025 and 2028. Minaj’s presence immediately ignited conversation, but it was her words that truly captivated the room and quickly spread online.
“I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change,” Minaj stated with conviction. She dismissed potential criticism, asserting that negativity only strengthened her resolve to support the former president, and would inspire others to do the same.
Minaj framed her support as a defense against what she perceived as unfair attacks. She spoke of “bullying” and “smear campaigns,” believing the former president possessed significant strength and divine protection. Her words resonated with some, quickly gaining traction on social media platforms.
Activist Riley Gaines shared a clip of Minaj’s comments, praising the artist’s defiance. Former congressman George Santos echoed the sentiment, labeling Minaj’s stance as “Queen s*.” The online reaction was swift and polarized, highlighting the divisive nature of the moment.
However, Minaj’s declaration wasn’t met with universal acclaim. Critics swiftly responded, and the official Democratic Party account leveled a personal attack against the rapper, referencing the past of her husband, Kenneth Petty.
The Democratic Party account highlighted Petty’s past conviction for attempted rape at age 16 and his subsequent registration as a sex offender. This detail, dating back to the late 1990s, resurfaced as a point of contention amidst the political debate surrounding Minaj’s endorsement.
Petty was not present at the event where Minaj voiced her support. She was seated between Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trump advisor Alex Bruesewitz, with whom she has been seen on multiple occasions since publicly aligning herself with the former president’s policies.
Driven by her son, Minaj pledged a substantial financial contribution – “hundreds of thousands” of dollars – to the Trump accounts. This act underscored her commitment to the program and her desire to secure a financial future for the next generation, inspired by her own child.
