Gotta keep an eye out for… Nicki Minaj?  

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Many are discarding rapper Nicki Minaj’s recent support and involvement with President Donald Trump, and widow of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, as “erratic” and shocking. Minaj has attended several MAGA events in recent weeks – firstly, Kirk’s right-wing pressure group Turning Point’s, ‘AmericaFest’, the premier of documentary flop ‘Melania’, being called upon stage by President Trump to announce her support of the “Trump Accounts”. Sitting in conversation with Kirk in December, she criticised Californian governor Gavin Newsom as “NewSCUM”, and revealed her turn towards Republican politics came during her “religious reawakening” after years in the music industry, evident of the strong Christian-right in the US. Furthermore, back in November, Minaj celebrated Trump’s interference and threats to Nigeria over their persecution of Christians, and has stated she couldn’t stand the way President Trump has been “bullied”.  

With the current climate in the US, it is not just about endorsement, it’s about picking a side and being ready to encompass Trump’s populist politics wholly.  

Whilst Minaj’s outspoken and loud declaration of supporting America’s right-wing politicians may come as a shock to certain audiences, it is coming during a time of heightened polarisation and partisanship in the states; dangerous clashes between Republicans and Democrats, potent disparity between the right and the left, and the country is moving drastically away from centrist and bipartisan politics. Many are condemning Minaj’s support of Trump, especially as she previously has been vocal about her coming illegally to the US with her parents as a young child from Trinidad and Tobago. As well as this, she spoke out against Trump’s mass deportation in 2018, calling these actions “scary” and criticising the “panic” and “terror” caused by his executive orders. 

Now, she is posing with a figure whose fundamental politics are about preventing migrants from coming to the US. Posting a gold card bearing the face of the president, a symbol only afforded to those with over a million dollars to “gift” to the country. Is that the level you need to reach to be deemed worthy of moving to a new country for a new life, or even a chance at safety?  

As President Trump’s “Number One Fan”, Minaj is a high-profile figure symbolic of the power and influence of celebrity endorsement, and the force of celebrity involvement in the political sphere. When the muse of a vast ‘fandom’ shows interest in politics – be it a friendship with a politician, vocal support of a political party, or speaking out against an issue – groups within an electorate are energised. We saw it in the UK in 2019 when Stormzy backed Labour to ‘end austerity’, and that same day there was a 236% rise in voter registration. Whether or not it has impact – especially seeing Labour lose the 2019 general election – political involvement of high-profile figures is central to wider discussions of politics, particularly with the youth vote. This is why Minaj’s current political activity is so potent. With the current climate in the US, it is not just about endorsement, it’s about picking a side and being ready to encompass Trump’s populist politics wholly.