Nicki Minaj used her surprise appearance this weekend at Turning Point USAs AmericaFest conference to heap praise on Donald Trump, lob further insults at California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), and advise boys to be boys.The Grammy-nominated rapper joined Erika Kirk Turning Point USAs new CEO and the widow of the conservative youth organizations founder, late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk onstage Sunday at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, to discuss politics and religion. Related Nicki Minaj slammed for supporting Trumps anti-trans, anti-immigrant policies Kirk set a lowbrow tone for the duos conversation from the start, inviting Minaj to read some of her recent social media posts trolling California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) who is widely expected to run for president in 2028 including one ridiculing Newsom for comments he made expressing his support for trans kids.Kirk then invited Minaj to riff on what she would say to Newsom. Insights for the LGBTQ+ community Subscribe to our briefing for insights into how politics impacts the LGBTQ+ community and more. Subscribe to our Newsletter today Dear Newscum, the Superbad rapper said, using Trumps childish nickname for the California Democrat. We dont have a problem cleaning up the scum if we have to. Please tread lightly.Minaj went on to say that she has the utmost respect and admiration for Trump despite blasting his first administration for separating migrant children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border adding that hes given so many people hope that theres a chance to beat the bad guys. The rappers abrupt public pivot toward MAGA appears to have begun in early November, when she praised the Trump administration for designating Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern due to the alleged mass slaughter of Christians at the hands of radical Islamists in the West African nation. While analysts have noted that extremist groups in Nigeria have in fact targeted people of all faiths with violence, both Kirk and Minaj continued to repeat the administrations contested claim that Christians are being specifically targeted.Minaj went on to claim that prior administrations saw nothing wrong with the supposed persecution of Christians both abroad and in the U.S., and she struck a distinctly Christian Nationalist note when she told the crowd, We absolutely cannot let people who have a problem with us worshipping God We cannot have them in power.Later in their conversation, Minaj returned to her apparent fixation on Newsom when she advised young men not to be Newscum.You have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president, and you have amazing role models like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president, Minaj said. The Starships rappers odd description of Vance as an assassin led to an awkward moment with Kirk, whose husband was assassinated in September during a speaking event in Utah. Minaj went silent for several minutes as Kirk tried to cover for her.This is whats so beautiful about this moment because if the internet wants to clip it, who cares? Kirk told the crowd. I love this woman. Shes an amazing woman. She has a soul and a heart for the Lord and words are words, but I know her heart, and it doesnt even matter, and you say what you want to say because I know your heart, and I do not judge that.Nicki just on this stage being blatantly transphobic omg pic.twitter.com/GQC3zkANxj Saint (@spin4saint) December 21, 2025Minaj then returned to her advice for Americas young men: Boys, be boys, she said. Its okay, be boys. Its nothing wrong with being a boy. How about that? How powerful is that? How profound is that? Boys will be boys, and theres nothing wrong with that.Minaj didnt elaborate further. Nonetheless, many have interpreted her comment as transphobic.The rapper closed her conversation with Kirk by saying that she hopes her legacy will be that its okay to change your mind.Ive traveled the world. Ive performed for huge crowds all around the world, and no matter how many songs I do on that stage, it didnt mean as much as this, she said.Subscribe to theLGBTQ Nation newsletterand be the first to know about the latest headlines shaping LGBTQ+ communities worldwide.