Renowned hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj has revealed that California Governor Gavin Newsom’s lack of response to her requests for assistance prompted her to publicly back former President Donald Trump. Minaj accused Newsom of ignoring her pleas for help to safeguard her Beverly Hills mansion.
Minaj explained that she had reached out to the governor via Twitter and through other channels after her $20 million residence was repeatedly targeted in swatting incidents during 2022 and 2023. However, her efforts went unheeded.
“He completely disregarded me, despite the significant taxes I pay,” Minaj expressed in an interview with Time magazine.
In late 2025, Minaj declared her support for Trump, making a notable appearance beside Erika Kirk at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention.
During the event, Minaj stirred controversy by describing Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin,” a comment made while Erika Kirk was still mourning the assassination of her husband, Charlie. Minaj also referred to Governor Newsom derogatorily as “Newscum,” echoing Trump’s nickname for him.
The “Super Bass” singer admitted she had been leaning toward Trump for some time but had hesitated to make her stance public due to concerns about backlash within the music industry.
“I just knew they would not like me supporting Trump,” she said.
After Newsom’s snub, Minaj heard from Republican Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, who connected the musician with federal law enforcement and helped her with private security.
“I was shocked,” Minaj said of Luna’s assistance. “I’d never seen anyone in politics treat me that way.”
“That’s what made me say that I don’t care to keep this a secret anymore,” she added.
Minaj also said the criticism she received over her outspokenness regarding the persecution of Christians in Nigeria also led her to be more open about her politics.
“If they would have left me alone, maybe I would not have done so much,” she said.
Minaj noted that other celebrities also support Trump but “don’t say it.”
“Sometimes you just need one brave person to get the brunt of the impact. I think I am the catalyst for that change,” she said.
Minaj hasn’t been shy about expressing her feelings about Newsom.
“Gavin is the cute boy who got everything handed to him b/c of how cute & sexy & hot & smoking he was. Oohhh look @‘m,” she wrote in a December 2025 X post. “Sitting there in that suit with the sneakers on. He thinks he’s Tom Cruise only difference is, his next mission IS impossible.”
The California Post contacted Newsom’s office for comment.
