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Nicki Minaj and Trump spark White House podium rumor

Rapper Nicki Minaj speaks at a campaign rally for Republican candidates as U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind her in Port Huron, Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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Rapper Nicki Minaj speaks at a campaign rally for Republican candidates as U.S. President Donald Trump stands behind her in Port Huron, Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)
October 26, 2026 01:33 PM GMT+03:00

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung quipped on X on Sunday that rapper Nicki Minaj may be the next press secretary, posting a video of himself “interviewing” her aboard Air Force One. The White House has announced no appointment.

Cheung shared a video on X in which Minaj praised U.S. President Donald Trump’s economic policies. Speaking aboard Air Force One, Minaj said the U.S. economy had grown under Trump and added, “Everything is fine because we have a president who understands the economy first.” Cheung captioned the video: “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House press secretary.”

The White House’s official X account placed an eyes emoji under the post. Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz replied, “Hey Barbz, what do we think about this idea??” referring to Minaj’s devoted fan base, known as the Barbz. Minaj responded with American flag and sweating smiley emojis.

Minaj also appeared on stage with Trump on Oct. 25 at a campaign rally in Port Huron, a city in eastern Michigan on the Canadian border. Trump complimented her during the event.

According to Firstpost, she is among the celebrities supporting Trump at events across the country ahead of the midterm elections.

Rapper Nicki Minaj descends the stairs of Air Force One after arriving with U.S. President Donald Trump in Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Rapper Nicki Minaj descends the stairs of Air Force One after arriving with U.S. President Donald Trump in Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)

From criticism to support

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, a Caribbean nation, Minaj is a U.S. rapper and songwriter who moved to the United States as an undocumented child immigrant.

In 2018, she referred to her own immigration background in a social media post criticizing the separation of children from their families.

In 2020, at the Pollstar Live conference, she said she would not support Trump and cited the separation of migrant children as a concern.

According to Firstpost, Minaj began openly backing Trump in 2025. U.S. Vice President JD Vance praised one of her statements in December of that year.

U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes rapper Nicki Minaj onstage during a campaign rally supporting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections in Port Huron, Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)
U.S. President Donald Trump welcomes rapper Nicki Minaj onstage during a campaign rally supporting Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections in Port Huron, Michigan, U.S., Oct. 25, 2026. (AFP Photo)

The vacant post

A White House press secretary conveys the president’s activities and the administration’s policies to the public and the press, leads briefings and answers journalists’ questions.

Trump named Trump Media adviser Katie Zacharia on Oct. 9 as successor to former Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who stepped down in late August after giving birth to her second child.

Zacharia took over on Oct. 12 and left five days later. Leavitt said Zacharia was not suited to the job and that Trump was considering other candidates.

October 26, 2026 01:33 PM GMT+03:00
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