Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she took part in a Q&A session that later drew criticism from LGBTQ activists.
On Dec. 21, the rapper was introduced as a guest alongside Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk during the event. The appearance marked one of Minaj’s most high-profile engagements with the conservative organization to date.
During the conversation, Nicki Minaj spoke at length about her entry into political discourse, referenced California Governor Gavin Newsom, and revisited her speech at the United Nations last month, where she said she addressed what she characterized as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The discussion got more contentious when Kirk asked Nicki Minaj what advice she would offer to children who were struggling. The rapper told girls they should be “proud of how they look,” while adding that “boys will be boys,” a remark that critics later seized upon as a continuation of her recent rhetoric targeting Newsom’s support of trans children.
“It’s OK. Be boys. There’s nothing wrong with being a boy. How powerful is that? How profound is that? Boys will be boys and there’s nothing wrong with that,” shared Nicki Minaj.
Following the comments, a UK Pride organization called on LGBTQ+ venues to boycott Minaj’s music.
“Dear LGBTQ+ Venues…Please refrain from playing any Nicki Minaj Music. She is not our friend,” the organization wrote in a message shared on social media.
Nicki Minaj’s Instagram disappeared shortly after her Turning Point USA appearance
Nicki Minaj appeared to have stepped back from social media in the days following her surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, according to a report shared by Us Weekly.
Fans noticed on December 24 that the rapper’s Instagram account was no longer accessible. Visitors attempting to view the page were met with a message that read,
“Sorry, this page isn’t available.”
Some fans, however, noted that Minaj had a history of periodically deleting her social media accounts. The outlet pointed out that she had previously deactivated her Instagram as recently as October, suggesting the move may not be permanent.
The social media change came shortly after Minaj appeared at AmericaFest, which was held at the Phoenix Convention Center. During her appearance, the rapper praised President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, describing them as strong role models for young men.
“You have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” she said.
Minaj appeared to immediately recognize her wording, briefly covering her mouth with her hand in what seemed to signal embarrassment. Turning Point CEO Erika Kirk responded by reassuring the rapper that she had taken no offense to the comment. “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard,” Kirk said while laughing.
“So, you’re fine. I love you [and] you have to laugh about it — truly. I have been called every single thing, and you know what? God is so good, you let it roll right off your back.”
JD Vance responds to Nicki Minaj’s AmericaFest remarks with public praise
Vice President JD Vance showed no visible concern over Nicki Minaj’s remarks at Turning Point USA’s event and later publicly voiced his support for the rapper’s comments.
After Minaj’s appearance at AmericaFest, Vance praised her remarks in a post shared on X on December 22, describing her words as meaningful and reflective of a broader message.
“Nicki Minaj said something at Amfest that was really profound, I’m paraphrasing, but she said, ‘Just because I want little Black girls to think they’re beautiful doesn’t mean I need to put down little girls with blonde hair and blue eyes.’”
He went on to criticize what he characterized as a culture of “zero sum thinking,” suggesting that it had contributed to growing divisions.
“We all got wrapped up over the last few years in zero sum thinking. This was because the people who think they rule the world pit us against one another. @NICKIMINAJ rejects that. We all should.”
Edited by Nimisha