Rap superstar Nicki Minaj has firmly reaffirmed her political loyalties, telling her fanbase on social media that she is “not going anywhere” after receiving public praise from President Donald Trump during an Oval Office meeting.
The exchange follows a growing public alignment between the multi-platinum artist and the Republican administration throughout the year. During an Oval Office gathering earlier in the week, Trump singled out the Queens-born artist, remarking to attendees, “There she is, my favorite. She’s been with me a long time. I won’t say how long.” Wearing a splatter-patterned white-and-black dress, Minaj responded playfully in a high-pitched tone, “Hi, Mr. President.” Hours later, she reinforced her stance on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter, writing, “Not going anywhere. Right where I need to be.”
Minaj’s involvement with the administration has extended beyond social media commentary into official initiatives. She recently served as a judge for the Trump administration’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition, a small-business initiative featuring a $1 million grand prize. She evaluated contestants alongside private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia.
The rapper’s political pivot has unfolded gradually across several high-profile appearances this year. Minaj first met Trump at a Trump Accounts Summit in January, where she publicly described herself as his top fan. The sentiment has been mutual; during a presidential luncheon in July, Trump lauded the musician as a “fantastic person” who is “respected by everybody,” calling on her to stand up before the room. In September, Minaj elaborated on her stance during an appearance on The Ingraham Angle, stating that she felt honored to work with the administration and praising Trump as inspiring and engaging.
While the rapper’s political trajectory has drawn criticism from certain segments of her fanbase, known as the Barbz, and some musical peers, others in the entertainment industry have defended her right to express political views without facing ostracization. Singer Cyndi Lauper, who previously granted Minaj a rare sample clearance of her 1983 classic “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” for the 2023 album Pink Friday 2, addressed the backlash in an interview with The Guardian. Lauper stated that she opposes cancel culture and noted that the underlying message of her iconic track shares common ground with themes of autonomy and self-determination. Pink Friday 2 arrived in December 2023 and debuted at the top of the Billboard 200, maintaining Minaj’s commercial standing even as her public profile expands into the political sphere.
