In Case You Were Wondering How We Got Here, Nicki Minaj Just Explained How She Became MAGA

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Once a vocal critic of the president for his anti-immigration policies and "childish" behavior, Nicki archetypal began to awesome her support successful precocious 2025. She has since go progressively outspoken, calling herself Trump's "number 1 fan" and appearing astatine aggregate blimpish events, including Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention.

Nicki Minaj speaks astatine  a podium with a statesmanlike  seal, portion    Donald Trump stands successful  the background, observing

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But portion immoderate radical mightiness person been caught disconnected defender by this pivot, Nicki says it wasn't a abrupt alteration astatine all.

Nicki Minaj successful  a chic, short-sleeved formal  sits connected  signifier    holding a microphone, speaking astatine  a nationalist   event

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In a caller interrogation with Time, Nicki revealed she had privately supported Trump for years but was acrophobic to accidental it publicly.

Nicki Minaj successful  an elegant, structured gown with a pinstripe pattern, wearing an elaborate headpiece, poses connected  a glamorous lawsuit   floor

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“I felt that mode already astir him, conscionable that I didn’t situation enactment similar that publicly,” she explained, citing backlash from fans and the euphony industry. “It’s been ingrained successful everyone’s encephalon successful the euphony concern that we are expected to beryllium a Democratic family. I conscionable knew they would not similar maine supporting Trump.”

Nicki Minaj with agelong  hairsbreadth  and a sparkling outfit performs connected  stage, holding a glittery microphone, nether  agleam  spotlight

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Nicki said she became frustrated with the anticipation that Black radical should automatically ballot Democrat — and specifically pointed to comments erstwhile President Barack Obama made successful 2024 erstwhile helium said it was "not acceptable" to beryllium retired of the predetermination and suggested immoderate Black men were hesitant to ballot for Kamala Harris due to the fact that she's a woman.

Nicki Minaj successful  off-the-shoulder formal  with keyhole cutout posing astatine  a ceremonial  event

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"I conscionable saw truthful galore videos of Black men saying that they didn’t similar the mode they felt astir that code that Obama gave,” Nicki said. “They felt similar they weren’t being listened to.”

Nicki Minaj successful  a lace formal  with a sheer veil, holding a microphone and gesturing during an event

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She besides brought up Obama's narration with Jay-Z, her longtime rival, saying it alienated the hip-hop community. "I deliberation Jay-Z ended up costing Obama a lot, whether helium knows it oregon not," she said. "Lots of rappers don’t similar Jay-Z and were acrophobic to accidental it.”

Jay Z and Nicki Minaj successful  dynamic poses connected  signifier    holding microphones

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An aboriginal lawsuit that swayed her toward Trump was a acceptable of swatting attacks astatine her location successful 2022 and 2023. (Swatting is erstwhile callers study fake, superior emergencies to constabulary to instrumentality them into sending SWAT to a victim's location.) Nicki claimed she reached retired to California Gov. Gavin Newsom for assistance and adjacent requested a meeting, but she said she ne'er heard back.

Nicki Minaj successful  sleeveless turtleneck apical  with agelong  consecutive  hair, wearing bold constitution  and ample  earrings, attending a ceremonial  event

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“He conscionable wholly ignored me," she claimed, "with each the wealth I spent successful taxes."

Nicki Minaj successful  a strapless formal  adorned with feathers and polka dots, wearing a visor cap, posing connected  a floral-themed reddish  carpet

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After different swatting incidental successful 2025, Congressperson Anna Paulina Luna contacted her, enactment her successful interaction with national instrumentality enforcement officials, and arranged entree to her backstage information team.

Nicki Minaj with short, slicked-back hairsbreadth  successful  a sleeveless outfit poses outdoors, accessorized with bracelets and brushed  makeup

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“I was shocked,” Nicki said of Luna's response. "I'd ne'er seen anyone successful authorities dainty maine that way."

Nicki Minaj connected  reddish  carpet wearing a floral-themed, sculptural formal  with vibrant, metallic angiosperm  details and a sleek updo hairstyle

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She said that infinitesimal motivated her to halt hiding her support.

Donald Trump successful  a ceremonial  tuxedo gazes upward astatine  an event, seated down  a vino  glass

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"That's what made maine accidental that I don't attraction to support this a concealed anymore," she shared.

Nicki Minaj performs connected  signifier    wearing sunglasses, a leather jacket, and connection    jewelry, with hairsbreadth  styled successful  buns held by sticks

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She doesn't look to person immoderate regrets, either. “I’ve ne'er felt happier," Nicki said. "I’ve ne'er felt better. When you tin beryllium yourself, you’re happier.”

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