Trump Expresses Admiration for Nicki Minaj During Black History Month Event

President Donald Trump publicly praised rapper Nicki Minaj during a Black History Month reception at the White House on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, continuing a recent pattern of public displays of affinity between the two.

Trump’s Remarks

During his speech, Trump described Minaj as “beautiful” and acknowledged her growing involvement in political discourse. “How about Nicki Minaj? Do we love Nicki Minaj? I love Nicki Minaj. She was here a couple weeks ago. She’s so beautiful,” Trump stated. He likewise playfully questioned the authenticity of her long nails, to which Minaj reportedly did not respond. Trump added, “She gets it, more importantly.”

Minaj’s Support for Trump

The President’s comments followed Minaj’s recent public endorsement of Trump. At the “Trump Accounts” event last month, Minaj declared herself “probably the President’s number one fan,” stating that criticism of Trump “actually motivates me to support him more.” She also expressed a desire to defend Trump against what she characterized as “bullying” and “smear campaigns.”

Social Media and Public Appearances

Minaj further demonstrated her support by posting an AI-generated image on X (formerly Twitter) on President’s Day, February 16, 2026, depicting herself riding in a convertible with Trump even as counting money. She also participated as a keynote speaker at the Trump-backed World Liberty Forum on February 18, 2026, leading a panel discussion titled “Owning the Culture: The Business of Music in a Creator-Led Economy.”

Context of the Speech

Trump’s praise of Minaj was interspersed within a broader speech recognizing Black History Month. He referenced other iconic Black artists, including guitarist Chuck Berry and singer Muddy Waters, as well as historical figures like Frederick Douglass, Martin Luther King Jr., and Muhammad Ali. Trump emphasized that Black History Month is “all about American history,” and extended greetings for “Black History Year” and “Black History Century.”

Source: Billboard, The Grio, Bossip, MSN