Nicki Minaj performs during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, U.S., September 12, 2023. REUTERS/Brendan Mcdermid
(New York, NY) – If you ain’t on the team, you playin’ for team D – for Democrats. Nicki Minaj, who is regarded by her fanbase “The Barbs” as the Queen of Rap, is throwing her support behind the White House. Minaj has alluded to her GOP proclivities within her own lyrics before, however some were caught off guard by Minaj’s recent backing of the Trump administration. Here is how the emcee with many nicknames (including one in reference to Monica Lewinsky) began her foray into politics and the world of MAGA.
COVID Controversy and Past Bars
Nicki Minaj is no stranger to stirring up conversation, especially regarding political issues. During the peak of COVID, the “Anaconda” rapper, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, was caught in the middle of the vaccination debate. Minaj took to X or Twitter, warning of a cousin in Trinidad who told her the vaccine made his friend impotent. Minaj told her 25 million followers to pray on it before making any decisions. The rapper also has alluded to past election ballots being marked red by the “Pink Friday” artist. In a remix with Lil Wayne “Mercy” from 2012, Minaj said plainly, “I’m a Republican voting for Mitt Romney, you lazy bitches are f—ing up the economy.”
#UNBarbie and Nigeria
President Trump has gotten involved after reports of Christian persecution in Nigeria. The issue has struck a chord with the “Beez in the Trap” rapper, and she got involved with the Trump administration. Minaj shared a Truth Social post from President Trump on social media where she shared her gratitude for the White House. It did not end on social media, in fact Minaj was invited to give a speech to the United Nations in November addressing the issue of religious persecution. The US Ambassador to the UN Michael Waltz invited Minaj to speak, describing her as “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice”. Leading up to her speech, Minaj hyped up her fanbase with the hashtag #UNBarbie. Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has pushed back on claims of religious persecution.
You can hear the full speech here:
Possible Pardon or Citizenship?
While Minaj continues to dig deeper in the MAGA world, including open praise for Trump and following him on social media, some have questioned the motives behind the recent activism. Especially considering the rapper was virtually silent on the previous presidential campaign trail, despite many of her collaborators from Beyonce to Eminem backing former VP Kamala Harris. Another notable person who campaigned for Harris, Minaj’s foe: Cardi B.
Nicki>Cardi https://t.co/LlbijpnwcD
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 11, 2025
Last year, Minaj revealed she does not hold citizenship in the United States, as she came to New York illegally from Trinidad when she was 5 years old. Another layer of context, Minaj’s husband, Kenneth Petty, has a criminal record and is a registered sex offender. Some users on social media believe the outpouring of support for Trump may be an effort to get her beau’s record wiped clean with a pardon.
