Nicki Minaj at TPUSA 'Not Surprising' Given Her Marriage With a 'Known Predator', Critics Claim

Nicki Minaj's surprise appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest has drawn intense scrutiny, with critics noting that her presence at a high-profile conservative conference is unsurprising given her marriage to a man with a troubling legal past.

The rap star's stage appearance at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona marked a notable moment in her evolving public persona, as she praised sitting US political leaders and aligned herself with conservative figures. Minaj's supporters applauded her candour, while detractors condemned what they described as a calculated political shift linked to her personal life and affiliations.

Turning Point USA Appearance and Political Praise

Onstage at the AmericaFest event hosted by Turning Point USA (TPUSA), Minaj joined Erika Kirk, the newly appointed chief executive of the conservative youth organisation. Kirk, who took over after the assassination of her husband, Charlie Kirk, in September 2025, interviewed Minaj in front of a large audience.

During the conversation, Minaj expressed admiration for US President Donald Trump, using effusive language and calling him a role model for young people. She said she held 'the utmost respect and admiration' for Trump and suggested he had given many Americans renewed hope.

She also made supportive remarks about Vice President J.D. Vance, at one point miscalling him an 'assassin' before realising the weight of her words. The gaffe prompted laughter and awkwardness in the room before the moment passed.

Minaj's broader comments addressed her views on contemporary politics, including jabs at California Governor Gavin Newsom and criticism of political conformity, which she argued stifles independent thinking. These remarks underscore a deliberate repositioning of the artist within the political sphere.

Backlash Focused on Personal Links

Almost immediately after footage of the appearance circulated online, social media critics linked Minaj's endorsement of conservative leaders to her personal life, particularly her marriage to Kenneth Petty. Petty's criminal history and ongoing legal issues have long been part of Minaj's public narrative and are frequently referenced in commentary.

According to public records and widely reported accounts, Petty was convicted in 1995 of attempted first-degree rape involving a then-16-year-old girl and served approximately four years in prison. Following his release, he was required to register as a sex offender. Decades later, Petty was arrested in 2020 for failing to register in California after moving there with Minaj; he ultimately pled guilty and received a sentence that included home arrest, probation and a fine.

Civil litigation has also involved Petty and, at times, Minaj. A 2021 lawsuit filed by a woman alleging harassment and intimidation by Petty and Minaj in connection with the 1994 incident sought compensatory damages. The claim against Minaj was dismissed after she responded to court filings and provided counter-evidence. Separate legal proceedings involving Petty continue in federal courts.

These legal issues have intensified online criticism. Many commentators have highlighted Petty's status as a registered sex offender, stemming from his conviction, to argue that Minaj's alignment with conservative, law-and-order-focused political events and figures is ideologically inconsistent or driven by personal motivations. Such commentary circulated widely on platforms like X and TikTok following the TPUSA event.

Evolving Public Image and Political Narrative

Minaj's appearance at a flagship conservative gathering marks a notable shift from her earlier public political statements. In 2018, she openly criticised former President Trump's immigration policies, describing them as 'scary' in the context of family separations at the border. Her remarks at TPUSA represent a stark contrast, signalling a possible reassessment of her political affiliations and public advocacy.

Meanwhile, Erika Kirk's visible support during Minaj's momentary verbal misstep with the 'assassin' comment underscored an effort by the organisation to frame Minaj's involvement positively.

Supporters of Minaj have defended her right to change political views and engage in public discourse, arguing that celebrities should not be confined to specific ideological spaces.

Yet for many observers, the optics of Minaj standing alongside prominent conservative figures at an event commemorating a slain activist, combined with her personal affiliations, have sparked a wider debate about celebrity influence, political alignment, and accountability.

Minaj's appearance at TPUSA may be unexpected to some, but for her critics, it forms part of a broader pattern linking personal connections with public positioning.