There’s a rhythm to Trump’s Rose Garden speeches by now, one where Democrats get called communists, the economy gets described as historic, and somewhere in the middle of all that, he tends to veer off script into whatever crosses his mind. On Monday, what crossed his mind was Nicki Minaj’s looks.
“We also have a woman that is so respected and so hot and so great and such a great friend of, I don’t say conservative, I say of common sense,” he told the assembled guests, gesturing toward Minaj in the crowd. He kept going: “She’s a fantastic person and she’s a woman that’s respected by everybody and she’s got real talent: Nicki Minaj.”
Here’s Donald Trump describing Nicki Minaj as “so hot” pic.twitter.com/3P64STRIiW
— Lucas Sanders 👊🏽🔥🇺🇸 (@LucasSa56947288) July 6, 2026
Later in the same speech, discussing small business policy of all things, he found his way back to her once more: “They call it small business, Nicki, but when you add it up, it’s bigger than any bank probably in the world, right?”
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The internet did not let it slide quietly.
I keep forgetting Melania and Trump are not really married or this would be a weird statement for the married President to say.
— How Hard Is It To Answer? (@AnswerThePoll_) July 6, 2026
That’s just gross.
— Carolas (@CarolAskew17) July 6, 2026
Because he is tanking in every single poll, he’s now trying to gain access to the black vote.
— TravelRN4U 👩🏻⚕️💝🩺🌎 (@TravelRN4U) July 6, 2026
So inappropriate.
— SleuthyFella (@SleuthyFella) July 6, 2026
Ewwww,that’s kinda gross
— Dreamer13 (@LauraCo37161166) July 6, 2026
Is she didn’t support him he would call her ugly.
— Hey Maga’s,it’s the Constitution. F your feelings. (@GallihughDeb) July 6, 2026
Minaj’s political transformation has been building since last year, when she said a falling out with Gavin Newsom pushed her toward Trump. She’s since shown up at a United Nations panel on Christian persecution in Nigeria, at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, and at January’s Trump Accounts Summit, where she told the room outright: “I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change.” She added, of the criticism she’s taken for it: “We’re not going to let them get away with bullying him.”
That same summit came with a physical thank-you gift.
Trump handed Minaj a Trump Gold Card, the immigration fast-track that normally runs applicants $1 million plus a $150,000 processing fee, at no charge to her. Her reaction on X was enthusiastic: “Finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak as per MY wonderful, gracious, charming President. Thanks to the petition. I wouldn’t have done it without you.”
A signed Bible followed separately, which she described as “one of the most meaningful gifts I’ve ever received in my entire life.”
Minaj has, at times, taken the tribute act further than anyone asked her to.
She’s posted AI images recasting herself as Marilyn Monroe serenading JFK, except with Trump’s face swapped in for Kennedy’s, alongside another shot of the two of them in matching hoodies reading “Real recognize real.”
Featured image via X screengrab
