On December 21, 2025, Nicki Minaj surprised attendees at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix by joining CEO Erika Kirk on stage for a public conversation that quickly became headline news. In her remarks, she praised President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, calling them relatable leaders and role models for young men, and criticized California Gov. Gavin Newsom. During the session she had an awkward moment referring to Vance as an “assassin” — a comment that drew buzz given the organization’s recent loss of founder Charlie Kirk to a fatal shooting. The appearance represented a notable political pivot for Minaj, drawing both fervent support from conservative audiences and backlash — including reports of social media fallout — as the rapper’s cultural influence intersected with high-profile political engagement.