Rapper Nicki Minaj experienced an awkward moment during a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, December 21, 2025. While praising Republican leaders in a Q&A session with Erika Kirk—the widow of assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk—Minaj inadvertently referred to Vice President JD Vance as an "assassin."
The incident occurred when Minaj, whose full name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, was asked for advice to young men in the audience. She responded enthusiastically: “Young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president,” referring to Donald Trump, before adding, “And you have amazing role models like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president.”
Minaj immediately paused, lowered her microphone, covered her mouth, and appeared embarrassed upon realizing the implications of the word "assassin," given that she was onstage with Erika Kirk, whose husband Charlie Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, during a campus event at Utah Valley University. The shooter, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is currently on trial for aggravated murder and related charges.
Kirk quickly intervened to ease the tension, reassuring Minaj: “Trust me, there is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard. So you’re fine… You let it roll right off your back.” She added that she was unconcerned about potential online backlash: “If the internet wants to clip it, who cares? I love this woman.” Kirk emphasized knowing Minaj's heart and intentions, turning the moment into one of support and grace.
The gaffe quickly went viral on social media, with clips shared widely. Vice President JD Vance responded positively the following day, praising Minaj's overall commentary as "profound" and brushing off the slip. Minaj continued her remarks, praising Trump and Vance for making Americans "feel proud" and relating to everyday people.
This marked Minaj's high-profile appearance at the conservative youth organization's annual summit—the first AmericaFest since Charlie Kirk's assassination—and her first public collaboration with Erika Kirk, who assumed leadership of Turning Point USA following her husband's death. The event drew over 30,000 attendees, featuring speakers like Ben Shapiro, Tucker Carlson, and Vivek Ramaswamy, and focused on themes of faith, freedom, and Kirk's legacy.
Minaj's participation aligns with her recent shift toward conservative causes, including vocal support for Trump's claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria and criticism of California Governor Gavin Newsom. During the session, she mocked Newsom as "New-scum" and read aloud her past social media posts targeting him, drawing laughter from the crowd.
The moment highlighted the sensitivity surrounding Charlie Kirk's death, ruled a targeted assassination by authorities. Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was killed by a single sniper shot while debating students. His widow has continued his work, leading the organization and honoring his memory at events like AmericaFest.
Despite the awkward slip, the interaction was largely received positively by attendees and conservative commentators, who appreciated Minaj's enthusiasm and Kirk's composure. The episode underscores the unpredictable nature of live events and the ongoing emotional impact of Kirk's loss on the conservative movement.
