Nicki Minaj says Trump, Vance are 'role models' for young men at Turning Point USA event | CBC News

Entertainment CEO and Chair of the Board of Turning Point USA Erika Kirk, left, and rapper Nicki Minaj speak during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025 in Phoenix, Ariz. This year's conference commemorated the late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot on a Utah college campus in September.(Jon Cherry/The Associated Press) Erika Kirk and Nicki Minaj arrive on stage during Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Ariz.(Olivier Touron/AFP via Getty Images) Minaj spoke about her frustrations with California Governor Gavin Newsom, and about why she has embraced the conservative movement.(Caylo Seals/Getty Images) Nicki Minaj says Trump, Vance are 'role models' for young men at Turning Point USA event The rapper was interviewed by Erika Kirk, widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk Rapper Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at a gathering of conservatives in Arizona on Sunday that was memorializing late activist Charlie Kirk and used her time on stage to praise U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, calling them "role models" for young men. The rap star was interviewed at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest convention by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk, about her newly found support for Trump - someone she had condemned in the past - and about her actions denouncing violence against Christians in Nigeria. The Grammy-nominated rapper's recent alignment with the Make America Great Again movement has caught some interest because of her past criticism of Trump even when the artist's own political ideology had been difficult to pin down. But her appearance Sunday at the flagship event for the powerful conservative youth organization may shore up her status as a MAGA acolyte. Minaj mocked California Gov. Gavin Newsom, referring to him as "New-scum," a nickname Trump gave him. Newsom, a Democrat, has 2028 prospects. Minaj expressed admiration for Trump and Vance, who received an endorsement from Erika Kirk despite the fact he has not said whether he will run for president. "This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them. Our vice president, he makes me ... well, I love both of them," Minaj said. "Both of them have a very uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to." Minaj's appearance included an awkward moment when, in an attempt to praise Vance's political skills, she described him as an "assassin." She paused, seemingly regretting her word choice, and after Kirk appeared to wipe a tear from one of her eyes, the artist put her hand over her mouth while the crowd murmured. "If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman," said Kirk, who took over after her husband Charlie Kirk, then leader of Turning Point USA, was assassinated in September. Last month, Minaj shared a message posted by Trump on his Truth Social network about potential actions to sanction Nigeria saying the government is failing to rein in the persecution of Christians in the West African country. Experts and residents say the violence that has...

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