Rapper Nicki Minaj publicly declared herself President Donald Trump’s number one fan during a Treasury Department summit Wednesday, stating criticism only strengthens her support for the United States (US) leader.
The Grammy nominated artist made the statement at an event launching Trump Accounts, a child investment program, where she pledged between $150,000 and $300,000 to fund her fans’ participation in the savings initiative. Trump invited Minaj to the stage at Carnegie Mellon Auditorium in Washington, where she doubled down on her support despite backlash from critics.
“I will say that I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change,” the 43 year old performer told the crowd. “The hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more, and it’s going to motivate all of us to support him more.”
The Starships singer, born Onika Maraj in Trinidad and Tobago, emphasized her loyalty extends beyond public opinion. “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him and the smear campaigns. It’s not going to work, OK? He has a lot of force behind him, and God is protecting him,” she said ahead of remarks by Trump at the event.
Trump praised Minaj during the summit, acknowledging her long standing support. “I just think she’s great. I didn’t know Nicki, and I’ve been hearing over the years she’s a big Trump supporter, or Trump fan. And she took a little heat on occasion because her community isn’t necessarily a Trump fan,” he said.
At one point during the event, Trump and Minaj held hands on stage, with the president admiring her extremely long painted nails. “I’m gonna let my nails grow, because I love those nails. I’m going to let those nails grow,” Trump said with a laugh. The moment quickly went viral on social media, sparking widespread reaction.
Hours after the summit, Minaj posted a photo on social platform X showing a Trump Gold Card emblazoned with the president’s face. She later wrote that she is “finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak as per MY wonderful, gracious, charming President.” The card, which typically costs $1 million for applicants, was given to her free of charge.
The gold cards were created via a September executive order providing an alternative pathway to citizenship for highly skilled foreign workers. Minaj, who came to the US from Trinidad and Tobago, had previously expressed desire for citizenship in social media posts dating back several months.
According to CNBC, Minaj is pledging between $150,000 and $300,000 to fund her fans’ Trump Accounts. The rapper did not specify who would be eligible for her contribution. In a statement to the New York Post, she explained her motivation for the pledge.
“I absolutely love my Barbz. I want to see them bring healthy and successful children into the world. Becoming a mother was the greatest thing that’s ever happened to me, and I want others to experience the same joy my son has brought into my life,” Minaj told the outlet Wednesday.
Trump Accounts represent a new child investment program introduced as part of the president’s signature tax and spending bill. Under the initiative, the federal government deposits $1,000 for every baby born between 2025 and 2028. Several major companies, including JPMorganChase, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, and Uber, have pledged to match the government’s initial contribution for eligible employees’ children.
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told media before the event that 600,000 families have already gone online to open accounts. Families can establish a Trump account for eligible children by making elections on Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Form 4547 when filing their tax returns. Parents must complete the form to elect the $1,000 contribution from the Treasury, if applicable to the child.
Beginning in May 2026, after the election is made, the Treasury or its agent will send information to activate accounts through an authentication process. Parents of older children are encouraged to open accounts, but the $1,000 bonus is reserved for babies born during the calendar years of the Trump administration.
At the summit, Shark Tank judge Kevin O’Leary also spoke briefly alongside Minaj and Trump. The event featured appearances by administration officials, chief executive officers (CEOs) and philanthropists promoting the accounts program. Trump called on all employers across America to follow the lead of participating companies and make matching contributions to benefit American workers.
The rapper’s public embrace of Trump has sparked division among her fanbase, known as the Barbz. Some supporters expressed dismay at her political alignment, while others defended her right to support whichever political figure she chooses. Social media platforms erupted with debate following the hand holding moment and her declaration of loyalty.
One user wrote on X, “nicki minaj and trump holding hands was not on my 2026 bingo card.” Another commented, “Not Nicki minaj holding hands with donald trump her career is so over.” The viral moments dominated social media conversations throughout Wednesday and Thursday.
Minaj has shown continued support for Trump throughout his second term, which began with his January 20, 2025 inauguration. Her political shift became more pronounced three months ago, when vaccine skepticism evolved into broader conservative ideology. Since then, she has reposted White House messaging, spoken at the United Nations on behalf of the Trump administration, and joined conservative activist Erika Kirk at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest.
The transformation marks a significant departure from earlier phases of her career, during which she cultivated a diverse fanbase including strong support from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ+) communities. Her recent political positions have drawn criticism from some longtime fans who feel her current stance conflicts with values she previously championed.
On Thursday night, Minaj attended the premiere of Melania, a documentary about First Lady Melania Trump, at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington. She joined television doctors Dr. Oz and Dr. Phil as one of the few celebrity guests at the event, which was attended primarily by members of Trump’s administration.
The documentary, directed by Brett Ratner, tracks 20 days in Melania Trump’s life from Trump’s 2025 presidential campaign to his inauguration. Most of Trump’s children were noticeably absent from the premiere, with only Donald Trump Jr. showing up to support the film.
Minaj and Trump also uploaded a joint TikTok video on Wednesday. In the video, Minaj called Trump “the best president of all time” while Trump crowned Minaj the “queen of Rap.” The collaboration further cemented the public alliance between the rapper and the president.
Blair Thompson, a former fan, told media he is cutting ties with Minaj because her politics feel like a slap in the face to longtime supporters from diverse backgrounds. On the other hand, Tre The Entertainer, who has been a Barb since age 13, said he remains all in and separates the art from the artist.
Comedy presenter Chelsea Handler referenced the situation during the Critics Choice Awards, making pointed remarks about Minaj’s appearance at conservative gatherings. The comment reflected broader entertainment industry reaction to the rapper’s political transformation.
Widely known as the queen of rap since her 2010 Pink Friday album debut, Minaj has achieved enormous success over her career with multiple platinum albums, chart topping singles and numerous award nominations. Her music has consistently topped Billboard charts and earned her recognition as one of the most influential female rappers in history.
The Trump Accounts program represents one of the administration’s key domestic policy initiatives aimed at encouraging early wealth building among American families. Trump described the accounts Wednesday as potentially one of the most transformative policy innovations of all time, stating they would give every newborn American child a financial stake in the future.
Companies beyond those already announced are expected to make additional pledges in coming weeks. Visa is creating a new platform allowing credit card holders to deposit cash back rewards directly into Trump Accounts, while Intel, Nvidia and Comcast have agreed to make contributions according to Trump’s Wednesday announcement.
The convergence of celebrity endorsement, political advocacy and financial incentives surrounding the Trump Accounts launch underscores the administration’s strategy of leveraging high profile supporters to promote policy initiatives. Minaj’s participation brings mainstream entertainment visibility to the program while simultaneously reshaping her public image and fanbase composition.
Looking ahead, the rapper’s continued alignment with Trump administration priorities will likely remain a subject of public debate and media scrutiny. Her willingness to publicly defend the president against criticism signals a commitment that extends beyond casual political preference into active advocacy and financial support for administration initiatives.
