By Trendsetter Tribune 
The absence of Nicki Minaj from the 2026 Grammy Awards was as loud as any performance of the night. While stars like Bad Bunny used their acceptance speeches to denounce ICE and call for “resilience,” Minaj’s whereabouts were the subject of the evening’s most viral joke. Host Trevor Noah quipped that the “Queen of Rap” was missing because she was “still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues.”+1
The joke points to a startling reality: over the last year, Nicki Minaj has transformed from a music icon into one of President Trump’s most vocal and high-profile surrogates.
The “Second Calling”: From Rap to Resistance
In an interview on The Katie Miller Podcast (Feb 3, 2026), Minaj described her shift toward conservative politics as a “spiritual premonition.” She explained that her empathy for Trump was fueled by a sense of shared experience with “bullying” and “smear campaigns.”+1
- Empathy for Trump: “I felt that same bullying… and all of the lying. I felt that that had been done to me for so many years, and I was watching it in real time happen to someone else,” Minaj stated.
- The “Barbz” and the Ballot: Minaj’s political awakening reportedly began during the 2024 campaign, which she described as a “turning point” that led her to believe she had a “second job to do” beyond music.
Key Political Milestones (2025–2026)
Minaj’s alignment with the administration has been marked by several unprecedented public appearances:
- United Nations (Nov 2025): At the invitation of the White House, Minaj addressed the UN to spotlight the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. She thanked Trump for his “leadership” and his willingness to consider military intervention against religious violence.+1
- AmericaFest (Dec 2025): Minaj closed out Turning Point USA’s annual event, appearing alongside Erika Kirk (widow of the late Charlie Kirk).
- Trump Accounts Summit (Jan 28, 2026): Just days before the Grammys, Minaj joined Trump at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to promote “Trump Accounts”—a new policy giving $1,000 investment accounts to children born between 2025 and 2028.
“I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change.” — Nicki Minaj, Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium, Jan 28, 2026.
The “Trump Gold Card” Controversy
Perhaps most polarizing was Minaj’s reveal of her “Trump Gold Card” on social media.
- Citizenship Paperwork: Following her January 28 appearance, she posted that she was “finalizing that citizenship paperwork” and thanked “MY wonderful, gracious, charming President” for the card.
- The Backlash: Given Minaj’s status as an immigrant from Trinidad and Tobago, critics on social media—and peers at the Grammys—labeled her a “sellout,” contrasting her support for the administration with the ICE operations currently causing civil unrest in Minnesota.
A Divided Legacy
As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Minaj’s pivot represents a major shift in celebrity political influence. While her “Barbz” remain divided, her presence in the Oval Office and at conservative summits suggests that her “second calling” is just beginning.
Nicki Minaj speaks at the United Nations on Christian persecution
This video shows the full address Minaj gave at the UN, marking one of her first major diplomatic collaborations with the Trump administration.