Rapper Nicki Minaj joined US President Donald Trump onstage at a campaign rally in Michigan, praising his leadership and urging voters to elect Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Speaking at the rally in Port Huron on Sunday, Minaj said Trump had changed the direction of the United States and given Americans renewed hope for the future. “He’s changed the energy of the country,” she told supporters.He’s given us a future to look forward to.”
The Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper, dressed in a gold-coloured Gucci-branded suit, led the crowd in chanting Trump’s name and those of Republican candidates contesting elections in Michigan. “We really need all these great people to be elected, because this is a major turning point for our country.”
Trump had earlier invited Minaj onstage after making remarks about her appearance. “By the way, I looked at a beautiful ass before, he told the crowd. Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss.”
The president asked the rapper to stand as supporters cheered, adding that he hoped she was not offended by his comment.
After her appearance, Trump praised her again.
“She never looked more beautiful. She gets it. She’s smart.”
Minaj travelled to Michigan with Trump aboard Air Force One. During the flight, she filmed a video with a presidential aide, later posted on X, in which she pretended to interview for the White House press secretary position.
The role became vacant after Katie Zacharia left five days after a difficult public debut.
Minaj has previously described herself as Trump’s “number one fan”, despite criticising some of his policies during his first term.
She has also publicly supported his claims about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and backed his gold card visa programme, which offers eligible applicants residency and a pathway to US citizenship.
Her appearance comes as Republicans and Democrats intensify campaigning ahead of closely contested midterm elections that will determine control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s presidency.
Michigan is among the key battlegrounds, where Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed faces Republican Mike Rogers in a tight race.
Former President Barack Obama campaigned alongside El-Sayed on Saturday as Democrats sought to strengthen support ahead of the vote.
During Sunday’s rally, Trump attacked El-Sayed over his Muslim faith and background, alleging that the Democratic candidate would invite jihadists into the United States if elected.
El-Sayed has previously condemned similar remarks by Trump as Islamophobic.
In a campaign advertisement released last week, he said the president was attempting to use his religion and identity to divert attention from the economic impact of his policies.
Trump “thinks he can use my name and my faith to distract us from the suffering his policies are inflicting on us at the pump, at the grocery store, and at the doctor’s office.”
The November 3 elections will decide whether Republicans retain control of Congress or Democrats gain enough seats to challenge Trump’s legislative agenda.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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