Rapper Nicki Minaj made an unexpected visit to a conservative event in Arizona, held in memory of the late activist Charlie Kirk. During her appearance, she took the opportunity to commend President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, describing them as “role models” for young men.

Minaj was interviewed at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention by Erika Kirk, the widow of Charlie Kirk. The interview focused on Minaj’s newfound support for Trump, a figure she had previously criticized, as well as her outspoken stance against the violence targeting Christians in Nigeria.

Her recent association with the Make America Great Again movement has sparked interest, given her past critiques of Trump and the ambiguity surrounding her political views.

However, her participation in the prominent event for the influential conservative youth organization could solidify her position as a supporter of the MAGA movement.

During her speech, Minaj took a jab at California Governor Gavin Newsom by referring to him with the nickname “New-scum,” a moniker coined by Trump.

Newsom, a Democrat, is considered a potential candidate for the 2028 presidential race.

Minaj expressed admiration for the Republican president and Vance, who received an endorsement from Erika Kirk despite the fact he has not said whether he would run for president.

Kirk took over as leader of Turning Point.

“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 Erika Kirk, who became a widow when Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September.

Last month, the rapper 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 long plagued Nigeria isn’t so simply explained.

“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God,” Minaj shared on X.

She was then invited to speak at a panel at the US mission to the United Nations along with US Ambassador Mike Waltz and faith leaders.

Minaj said she was tired of being “pushed around,” and said that speaking your mind with different ideas was controversial because “people are no longer using their minds.”

Kirk thanked Minaj for being “courageous,” despite the backlash she is receiving from the entertainment industry for expressing support for Trump.

“I didn’t notice,” Minaj said. “We don’t even think about them.”

Kirk then said “we don’t have time to. We’re too busy building, right?”

“We’re the cool kids,” Minaj said.

The Trinidadian-born rapper is best known for her hits Super Freaky Girl, Anaconda and Starships.

She has been nominated for 12 Grammy Awards over the course of her career.

In 2018, Minaj was one of several celebrities condemning Trump’s zero-tolerance immigration policy that split more than 5000 children from their families at the Mexico border.

Back then, she shared her own story of arriving to the country at five years old, describing herself as an “illegal immigrant.”

“This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?” she posted then on Instagram.

On Sunday on stage with Erika Kirk, Minaj said, “it’s OK to change your mind.”