Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper Nicki Minaj declared herself to be Donald Trump's number one fan on Wednesday, while also showing off her Trump gold card visa, which offers applicants residency and a path to US citizenship.
The US President called the star up on stage in Washington DC after she announced her support for the so-called Trump Accounts, which provide trust funds for children.
Previously a critic of Trump's hardline immigration policies, Minaj, who came to the US with her parents as a child, has praised his leadership in recent years.
This announcement comes at a time of protests after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents were involved in the fatal shootings of US citizens.
I will say that I am probably the president's number one fan, and that's not going to change, Minaj stated, seen holding hands with Trump on the podium. And the hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.
Minaj later revealed her new card, emblazoned with Trump's face, in a post on X, captioned: Welp. She continued, Finalising that citizenship paperwork as we speak as per my wonderful, gracious, charming president, noting that the card had come free of charge.
The gold card scheme, launched by Trump, was designed as a fast-track for wealthy immigrants like Minaj to obtain US citizenship, requiring a payment of $1 million and a $15,000 processing fee. Critics have pointed out the timing of this initiative, as the president has simultaneously enforced stricter measures against illegal immigration.
Minaj's backing of Trump has sparked backlash from some of her fans, contrasting sharply with the sentiments of other artists like Bruce Springsteen, who have been critical of the administration's immigration policies.
This divided response illustrates the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration reform in America, as well as the contrasting approaches artists are taking in relation to political engagement.
