Rapper Nicki Minaj was criticized after she encouraged Fox News viewers to exercise their right to vote before fully backing Republicans in November's midterm elections.
Minaj spoke with President Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, during an appearance on the network to stress that if people "want a say in what happens, the only way to have that is by voting, not just voting for the president but voting in all local elections."
Voters go to the polls on November 3 and Minaj hinted she might "do something around that time," presumably to spur voter turnout.
She added:
"I want you guys to do your research, see what candidates are in your area, and just give it just a few minutes or an hour, research them, and then make a decision."
“You guys are so blessed to be able to vote, and you have to, more than ever now, you have to take advantage of that ability that you guys have."
She then smirked and said "And vote red!" before cracking herself up, much to Lara Trump's amusement.
And of course Lara Trump was all for it, remarking:
“Amen. I feel like we can end it there; I do have one more question. Great sales pitch to the voters of America, Nicki, I love it.”
You can hear what she said in the video below.
Here's the thing though: Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, is not a U.S. citizen and cannot vote in any elections—not that that's stopped her from sucking up to the Trumps.
Earlier this year, the rapper appeared at the Trump Accounts Summit in Washington, D.C., where she praised President Trump’s rollout of investment accounts for U.S.-born babies.
A provision in Trump’s tax legislation creates so-called “Trump Accounts,” which provide $1,000 for every newborn whose parents open an account. The funds are invested in the stock market by private firms, and the child can access the money upon turning 18. Minaj says she plans to contribute between $150,000 and $300,000 to the accounts.
Her support has paid off—afterward, she bragged that her application for U.S. citizenship is getting the fast-track treatment by posting an image of a "Trump Gold Card" to X, simply typing "Welp..." as a caption.
Launched in December 2025, President Trump's "gold card" creates a fast track to U.S. citizenship for wealthy immigrants willing to pay $1 million, plus a $15,000 processing fee. Critics have condemned the scheme for emerging alongside the administration's escalating nationwide immigration crackdown.
The card grants approved applicants permanent U.S. residency, mirroring the existing EB-5 immigrant investor visa program. President Trump said in December that sales had already reached $1.3 billion.
Minaj's gleeful response to receiving the "gold card" prompted critics to point to a 2018 Facebook post she wrote criticizing the first Trump administration's family-separation policies. In it, Minaj said she "came to this country as an illegal immigrant at five years old."
Minaj has acknowledged she is not a citizen, previously saying that people "would think that with the millions of dollars that I've paid in taxes to this country that I would have been given an honorary citizenship many, many, many thousands of years ago."
It is possible that her husband Kenneth Petty’s 1995 conviction for attempted first-degree rape of a 16-year-old would make Minaj ineligible for a green card through marriage. The couple were later sued by Petty’s accuser, Jennifer Hough, who alleged harassment, intimidation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
Additionally, her closeness to the Trump administration has sparked speculation she is trying to secure a presidential pardon for her brother, Jelani Maraj, who was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl at his Long Island home.
Minaj’s gold card allows her to live in the United States without restriction, though she remains a non-citizen under the terms of the program. Minaj later dismissed critics who said she contributed to the "Trump Accounts" so she could resolve immigration troubles.
Minaj was swiftly called out.
With the election just 36 days away, we wonder if this is a sign of just how desperate the GOP is for votes.
@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social
