Sasha Mednikova
music news 02 FEB 2026  12

Nicki Minaj says emotion, not legislation, nudged her into conservative politics. She told podcaster Katie Miller she watched Donald Trump absorb nonstop public attacks. And yet she did not point to immigration, taxes, or foreign policy as her trigger. Instead, she described bullying, smear campaigns, and what she calls routine lying. In contrast, she says similar narratives chased her for years in music.



So she felt the pattern immediately, and it bothered her deeply. But she still flagged religious freedom as a value she holds close. Nevertheless, she framed her shift as personal, almost protective, not ideological. After all, she says, people can only push so long before they push back.

Summit Optics and the Trump Gold Card Chatter

On the flip side, Nicki Minaj has moved from comments to public appearances with Trump. She showed up at the Trump Accounts Summit and greeted him warmly onstage. Nevertheless, she leaned into the moment and called herself his biggest fan. After all, a celebrity political endorsement spreads faster than any policy paper. She also said Trump handed her a Trump Gold Card, and that claim lit up searches.

Reports describe the card as pricey, with a $1,000,000 contribution and a $15,000 fee. But Minaj kept the details vague and skipped specifics on paperwork. And yet she hinted that a recent episode pushed her into action. Regardless, her fans now watch every move for the next political signal.

Grammys Jokes, Backlash, and a Louder Culture War

Meanwhile, the Grammy Awards added gasoline, and yet reactions split instantly. Host Trevor Noah mocked the alliance with crude jokes during the broadcast. Nevertheless, Minaj responded online soon after, sounding furious and worn out. Trump also criticized the telecast, calling it hard to watch. In comparison, supporters say Minaj speaks plainly, regardless of elite scorn.

On the contrary, critics argue she courts controversy to boost attention. But the clash shows how pop culture and politics now share the same stage. And still, Minaj frames this moment as self-defense, not a publicity stunt. Irrespective of motives, the story keeps trending because it feels personal.