Moneycontrol PRO
LAMF
LAMF

‘AI or real?’ Nicki Minaj’s cash-counting photos with ‘bestie’ Trump go viral on President's Day

Nicki Minaj went viral after posting AI images of herself counting money with Donald Trump on Presidents’ Day, fuelling fresh conversation about their increasingly visible equation.
February 18, 2026 / 08:56 IST
The pictures show Minaj in the passenger seat while Trump drives the convertible. (Image credit: @NICKIMINAJ/X)
Snapshot AI
  • Nicki Minaj shared AI images with Trump for Presidents' Day
  • Fans debated if the images were real or AI-generated
  • Minaj's post fueled talk of her support for Trump

Rapper Nicki Minaj celebrated Presidents’ Day by sharing a series of AI-generated images featuring US President Donald Trump. The post, shared on her X account on Monday, February 16, has fuelled public perception of her growing alignment with the US president.

The AI images show Minaj seated in the front passenger seat of a convertible, with Trump taking the wheel. Both were dressed in matching pink-and-white outfits with bold chains. One frame captures Trump’s signature “OK” sign, while another features Minaj handling stacks of cash.

“Happy #PresidentsDay,” she captioned the post.

The images initially left many confused, with some asking, “Is this real?” While some asked the AI chatbot Grok to verify them.

One user wrote, “My favourite thing about 2026 is the fact that this is probably AI, but knowing there’s a chance it’s actually real. Wild times.”

Another X user commented, “Oh wow, Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump finally linking up like the power couple we never asked for but somehow deserve in 2026.”

A third user added, “I love how Nicki doesn’t care and keeps hurting the haters and naysayers.”

Another said, “Is this real or AI? Can’t tell because anything is possible in America nowadays.”

The post reignited debate about Minaj’s recent public praise of Trump. In November 2025, she addressed a United Nations event where she spoke about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria and expressed gratitude for “his leadership on the global stage.”

A month later, Minaj took the stage at AmericaFest, hosted by Turing Point USA, where she expressed her “utmost respect” for the president. In late January, Minaj attended the Trump Accounts Summit in Washington, D.C., calling herself “the president’s No. 1 fan” and saying that it’s “not going to change.” She was also briefly photographed holding his hand during the visit.

Shweta Singh
first published: Feb 18, 2026 08:54 am

Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

Subscribe to Tech Newsletters

  • On Saturdays

    Find the best of Al News in one place, specially curated for you every weekend.

  • Daily-Weekdays

    Stay on top of the latest tech trends and biggest startup news.

Advisory Alert: It has come to our attention that certain individuals are representing themselves as affiliates of Moneycontrol and soliciting funds on the false promise of assured returns on their investments. We wish to reiterate that Moneycontrol does not solicit funds from investors and neither does it promise any assured returns. In case you are approached by anyone making such claims, please write to us at grievanceofficer@nw18.com or call on 02268882347