First posted on Instagram
Rapper Nicki Minaj joined President Donald Trump on stage at his rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, urging voters to elect Republicans Mike Rogers and John James and closing with a pledge to the president: "If you run again, I will support you again."
Minaj spoke at McMorran Place toward the end of the nearly two-hour rally, nine days before the November 3 midterm elections, after travelling to Michigan with Trump aboard Air Force One. Trump invited her on stage toward the end of the evening, calling her a "special person" and the "queen of rap."
"Since he's come back, he's changed the energy of our country," Minaj told the crowd. "He's given us a future to look forward to." She described Trump as representing resilience, saying many people had given up a little and fallen into despair before his return.
Her appearance was aimed squarely at two statewide races. Minaj led the crowd in chanting the names of Rogers, the Republican running for the U.S. Senate, and James, the party's candidate for governor. "We really need all these great people to be elected, because this is a major turning point for our country," she said.
She also spoke about children, telling the crowd: "We don't want our children to be bombarded with changes, right? Leave the children alone. Leave them out of it." She closed by addressing Trump directly: "President Trump, it's been an honor to stand with you every time, and I will always, always support you. If you run again, I will support you again."
Trump drew notice for a crude remark about Minaj's figure before asking her to stand and be recognized, adding that he hoped she had not been offended by it. As she left the stage, he praised her, saying: "She never looked more beautiful... She gets it. She's smart."
Minaj has described herself as Trump's "number one fan" even after faulting some of his first-term policies. Trump is barred by the 22nd Amendment from being elected president to a third term, so her pledge to back him if he runs again is a statement of loyalty rather than a ballot-box prospect.
The rally came as Michigan's Senate race between Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Rogers remains tight, with the midterms set to decide control of Congress for the rest of Trump's presidency.