Nicki Minaj faced an awkward moment on Sunday after calling Vice President JD Vance an “assassin” while praising him as a role model at a Turning Point USA festival. The verbal slip could have overshadowed her remarks, but Erika Kirk, widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk, quickly stepped in to console the rapper.
Nicki Minaj and Erika Kirk react during AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA summit since the death of Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S. December 21, 2025. REUTERS/Caitlin O’Hara
“Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president, and you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” Minaj said, covering her mouth in embarrassment as laughter rippled through the audience.
Erika Kirk reassured Minaj, saying, “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so you’re fine… I love you. You have to laugh about it truly. You say what you want to say, because I know your heart and I will not judge that.”
Nicki Minaj speaks with Erika Kirk during AmericaFest, the first Turning Point USA summit since the death of Charlie Kirk, in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S., December 21, 2025. REUTERS/Cheney Orr
Following the brief pause, Minaj thanked Kirk and continued her speech. Later, the White House shared a clip of Minaj at the festival praising President Donald Trump, which she reposted with a message of affection, adding, “My darling, you did it. We’re good. Love you.”
The encounter at AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, marked the first Turning Point USA summit since Charlie Kirk’s death, highlighting moments of solidarity amid political discourse.
