Nicki Minaj has defended her decision to openly support US President Donald Trump, saying criticism from the entertainment industry has not deterred her as she continues to speak publicly about her political views.
The rapper made the comments during two recent Fox News appearances, including an interview with Lara Trump on My View with Lara Trump. In the interview, Minaj discussed her support for the president, criticism of the media and the political pressure surrounding celebrities who publicly back Republicans.
Supporting Trump More Vocally
Minaj, 43, has become increasingly vocal about Trump during 2026 after keeping a more unpredictable political profile. During her 18 September appearance on The Ingraham Angle, she rejected the idea that she should apologise for supporting the president.
'I just love him,' Minaj told host Laura Ingraham, while describing Trump as someone she could relate to. She also said she was 'honoured' to have the opportunity to work with the administration and insisted she had nothing to say to people who criticised her position.
Her comments came amid a broader discussion about free expression and the reaction to Trump within the entertainment industry. In her interview with Lara Trump, Minaj argued that Trump's willingness to speak in an unscripted manner was part of his appeal.
'He brings this candid, unedited vibe to the White House,' she said, according to Fox News. Minaj also criticised what she described as repeated false reporting about the president and questioned the media's responsibility in shaping public opinion.
Should Artists Remain Separate from Politics?
The rapper has also challenged the idea that artists should remain separate from politics. Her public support for Trump has coincided with appearances at government-linked events, including the US Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition.
The SBA officially announced Minaj as one of the celebrity judges for the competition alongside Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia. The 18 September event featured five finalists competing for a share of a $1 million prize pool funded by Clover Network.
Minaj's political message became even more direct in her 26 September Fox News interview. Addressing younger Americans ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, she encouraged them to participate in local and congressional elections rather than focusing only on presidential races.
Urging Young Voters to Vote
'Your voice will not only be heard, but your voice is very necessary right now,' she said before telling young voters: 'Please, and vote red now.' Fox News reported that the remarks were part of her appeal for greater youth participation in the November elections.
The intervention has also revived questions about Minaj's own eligibility to vote. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she said during a 2024 livestream that she was not a US citizen. In January 2026, she indicated that she was finalising her citizenship paperwork, but no public documentation reviewed for this article confirms that she has since completed naturalisation.
That distinction is significant because US government guidance states that non-citizens, including permanent legal residents, cannot vote in federal elections. Citizenship is required for Minaj to cast a ballot in the November midterms.
Minaj's political involvement remains separate from her personal voting status. She can publicly express her views and encourage eligible voters to take part, while her own eligibility depends on whether her citizenship status has changed.
With the 2026 midterms approaching, Minaj's increasingly outspoken political role places her at the intersection of celebrity culture, free-speech debates and partisan campaigning — a position she has shown little sign of abandoning.
