- - Nicki Minaj Arrives Hand-in-Hand with Erika Kirk at Turning Point Event Before Praising Trump as 'Handsome' and 'Dashing'

Greta Bjornson, Nicholas RiceDecember 22, 2025 at 2:11 AM

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REUTERS/Caitlin O'Hara

Erika Kirk (left) and Nicki Minaj (right) at AmericaFest on Dec. 21. -

Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at AmericaFest on Dec. 21, joining Erika Kirk for the Turning Point USA event

The rapper spoke about her political beliefs and said that young men should be "handsome" and "dashing” like Donald Trump

Minaj also took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, after the pair were involved in a feud tied to comments about transgender youth

Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, joining Erika Kirk for a conversation to close Turning Point USA's annual convention.

During the event in Phoenix, Ariz., on Sunday, Dec. 21, Minaj, 43, walked out hand in hand with Erika, 37, who attended the political gathering for the first time since her husband Charlie Kirk's death.

Erika is now CEO of the organization, a role she took on after Charlie was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA event being held on the campus of Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was 31.

As Erika asked Minaj what she has learned from Donald Trump's administration, the rapper responded, “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope."

When Erika then questioned Minaj about her decision to support Trump, 79, the Pink Friday musician explained, “I just got tired of being pushed around."

"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? Who are they?' They don’t even know who they are. So I’m not going to back down anymore. I’m not going to back down ever again," she continued.

REUTERS/Caitlin O'Hara

Erika Kirk (left) and Nicki Minaj (right) at AmericaFest on Dec. 21.

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Minaj also took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The pair were involved in a feud on X, after Minaj criticized comments Newsom made about his support for transgender youth.

During the Turning Point USA event, Minaj was asked about her advice for young men, and told Erika, "Don't be New-scum" — a play on the politician's name.

She then name-checked "handsome" and "dashing" Trump as a good "role model," as well as JD Vance.

AmericaFest began on Thursday, Dec. 18, and is running through Dec. 21 at the Phoenix Convention Center.

This year's conference was billed as "a powerful celebration of faith, freedom, and the legacy of our founder, Charlie Kirk."

JONATHAN ERNST/POOL/AFP via Getty

Erika Kirk speaks during a Turning Point USA event in Oxford, Miss., on Oct. 29, 2025

Charlie was manning his signature "Prove Me Wrong" table as part of his American Comeback Tour when he was shot and killed on Sept. 10.

Following a manhunt for the suspect, Tyler Robinson was later taken into custody. Robinson, 22, is facing multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Charlie's death.

At the Turning Point event, one of the main attractions is a photo op inside a recreation of the booth where Charlie was murdered.

Erika was unanimously elected CEO of Turning Point USA and chairman of the board after Charlie's killing. He co-founded the nonprofit at 18 years old to advocate for conservative politics on high school and college campuses, and was known for his signature "Prove Me Wrong" debates.

In an open letter posted to social media on Sept. 18, members of the organization's board said Charlie had "expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death."

"It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie's side," they stated in the letter. "Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure that Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA."

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Erika and Charlie wed in 2021 after three years of dating. Before taking over as Turning Point's CEO, Erika was named Miss Arizona USA in 2011, and she later appeared on the third season of Bravo's Summer House.

She also launched her own faith-based podcast and clothing line, and worked as a real estate agent. Erika has two children with Charlie: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”