Nicki Minaj made an unexpected appearance at AmericaFest on Sunday and made a surprising compliment to US President Donald Trump.
The event was held in Phoenix, Arizona, where Minaj, 43, stepped out alongside new Turning Point USA CEO Erika Kirk, 37.
The event also marks Erika’s first time attending the conference since the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, who was shot during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University on September 10.
During their conversation, Erika asked Minaj what she learned from Donald Trump’s administration.
Minaj responded strongly to Trump, saying he gave a lot of people hope.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. I don’t know if he knows it, but he has given a lot of people hope.”
When asked why she chose to support Trump, the rapper said she was tired of being “pressured” and no longer cared about the public backlash.
“I’m tired of being pressured. I have something inside me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, why do I care about these people and what they think?’ Who are they?” They don’t even know who they are. So I won’t back down anymore. “I’ll never back down again,” she continued.
At another point, Minaj described Trump as “handsome” and “amazing” when she honored him and JD Vance as her role models.
AmericaFest takes place December 18-21 at the Phoenix Convention Center.