Nicki Minaj sparks buzz after calling JD Vance an ‘assassin’ in front of Erika Kirk | Watch

Nicki Minaj sparks buzz with ‘assassin’ slip about JD Vance at AmericaFest

American rapper Nicki Minaj drew widespread attention after an awkward verbal slip during a live appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Sunday, where she mistakenly referred to US Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin” while praising conservative leadership.

Minaj made a surprise appearance on stage alongside Erika Kirk during a discussion at the conservative youth conference. While addressing young men in the audience, she praised President Donald Trump before misspeaking about the vice president.

“Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president, and you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” Minaj said.

She immediately appeared to realise the error, lowering her microphone, covering her mouth and pausing as laughter rippled through the crowd. Minaj did not verbally correct herself, but her reaction made clear the comment was unintended.

Erika Kirk, who was moderating the conversation, quickly intervened to ease the moment.

“Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so you’re fine,” Kirk told Minaj. “I love you. You have to laugh about it truly. You say what you want to say, because I know your heart and I will not judge that.”

After the brief interruption, Minaj resumed speaking and went on to praise both Trump and Vance, calling them leaders she admired.

“This administration is full of people with heart and soul, and they make me proud of them,” she said later in the discussion, adding that their ability to connect with people resonated with her.

Minaj also addressed her evolving political views, acknowledging that she had previously criticised Trump’s policies, including the administration’s immigration stance in 2018. “It’s OK to change your mind,” she told the audience.

JD Vance later addressed AmericaFest 2025, telling supporters that the “America First” movement welcomed independent thinkers committed to the country. Erika Kirk has formally endorsed Vance for US president.

Following Minaj’s appearance, the White House shared a video clip from the event in which she said she had “the utmost respect and admiration for our president.” Minaj reposted the clip on social media, writing, “My darling, you did it. We’re good. Love you.”

The moment, while brief, quickly went viral online, adding to the ongoing discussion around Minaj’s increasingly visible alignment with conservative political figures and platforms.