Nicki Minaj Drops a Bombshell — Calls JD Vance ‘the Assassin’ Onstage with Charlie Kirk’s Widow, Erika

Nicki Minaj delivered an unexpected moment of awkward humor during her appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix on Sunday, when she accidentally referred to Vice President JD Vance as “the assassin” while praising the Trump administration onstage with Erika Kirk, widow of slain TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.

The rapper, 43, took the stage hand-in-hand with Erika Kirk, 37, to close out the four-day conservative youth conference. The pair sat for a wide-ranging conversation touching on politics, religion, and personal faith. Minaj, who has increasingly voiced support for President Donald Trump in recent months, began by expressing admiration for the administration.

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

The slip hung in the air for a long beat. Minaj froze, covered her mouth in shock, and went silent. The audience reacted with a mix of gasps and nervous laughter.

Erika Kirk responded graciously: “Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I have not heard.”

Minaj, still emotional, replied: “I love you.”

Kirk returned the sentiment: “You have to laugh about it. Truly, I have been called every single thing. And you know what? God is so good.”

The exchange quickly went viral, with clips circulating widely on social media. Some viewed it as a Freudian slip amid ongoing political tensions; others saw it as an innocent gaffe amplified by the charged atmosphere of the conference.

Did You Know?:Erika Kirk says JD Vance has been a ‘blessing’ since her husband Charlie – was shot dead

Minaj’s Growing Support for Trump

The incident occurred during a broader discussion in which Minaj praised Trump and explained her political evolution. “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president,” she told Kirk. “I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope.”

She described her shift toward Trump as a reaction to feeling “pushed around” and tired of external pressures: “I have something inside of me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, why do I even care about these people and what they think?'”

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Last month, Minaj delivered a speech at the United Nations on religious violence in Nigeria, where she thanked Trump for his leadership on the issue. “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and his leadership on the global stage,” she said, calling for action against extremism and in defense of religious freedom.

Her appearance at AmericaFest—typically a platform for young conservatives—surprised some observers, but aligns with her recent public statements supporting Trump and conservative causes.

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The conference was already emotionally charged. Charlie Kirk, TPUSA founder, was fatally shot on September 10 during an event at Utah Valley University. He was 31. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, faces aggravated murder charges and remains in custody.

Erika Kirk assumed leadership of TPUSA after her husband’s death. The conference featured a controversial replica of the shooting booth as a photo op, drawing criticism for its macabre tone.

Minaj’s onstage moment with Erika added another layer of complexity to an already emotionally fraught event. The pair’s warm exchange despite the gaffe—suggested genuine connection, with Erika later praising Minaj’s faith and resilience.

The slip generated immediate buzz online. Some users joked about “Freudian slips” and Vance’s reputation as a “conspiracy theorist,” while others called it an innocent mistake. Clips of Minaj covering her mouth in shock became meme fodder, with many praising Erika’s gracious response.

The incident highlighted the high-wire act of celebrity political endorsements: Minaj’s support for Trump has drawn both praise from conservatives and backlash from her traditional fan base. Her UN speech and AmericaFest appearance signal a deepening commitment to the cause.