Rapper Nicki Minaj Doubled Down on Support for President Donald Trump Stating That 'I Just Love Him'

Nicki Minaj made her support for President Donald Trump explicit on Friday, 18 September, during Fox News' The Ingraham Angle.

The rapper told Laura Ingraham, 'I just love him,' and said she would not 'make excuses' for supporting President Trump

Minaj appeared after serving as a judge in the US Small Business Administration's Million Dollar Pitch Competition in Washington, D.C.

The SBA said five finalists competed for $1 million in prizes funded by Clover Network, Inc. Minaj joined Grant Cardone and Joe Gebbia on the judging panel.

Minaj's comments focused on her personal impression of Trump rather than a detailed policy case. She said the president had 'inspired many people' and described him as 'fun.'

'I am honoured to be able to have an opportunity to work with this administration and to work with President Trump,' Minaj said. She also called Trump someone she could relate to and described him as 'very grounded.'

Nicki Minaj Explains Her Support for Trump

Minaj said Trump appeared to remain himself when speaking with other people. She also said she felt that he listened and understood those around him.

'It's easy to connect with him,' Minaj said. 'It's easy to feel like he heard you, he understands you.' She then made her position unmistakable. 'And I just love him, and I'm not going to ever make excuses for that.'

Ingraham asked what Minaj would say to people who criticised her for working with the sitting president. Minaj replied, 'Absolutely nothing,' before adding, 'I don't know why I should.'

The exchange did not include a lengthy defence of the administration's policies. Instead, Minaj framed her support around Trump's personality, manner and the sense of connection she said she felt.

Fox later published an eight-minute clip of the interview online on 19 September. Minaj appeared in the segment with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler to discuss the competition and entrepreneurship.

Her involvement with the SBA event was limited to the competition. The agency identified Minaj specifically as a judge and did not announce a federal appointment for the rapper.

The Million Dollar Pitch Competition formed part of the SBA's Freedom 250 initiative. The agency said Clover funded the $1 million prize pool, while five finalists competed for shares of the money.

Nicki Minaj's Public Support Draws Trump Praise

Minaj had expressed support for Trump publicly before the September interview. In January, a White House video quoted her describing herself as 'probably the President's number one fan'.

Trump has also praised Minaj at public events. During a White House Rose Garden Club luncheon on 6 July, he called her a 'fantastic person' and praised her talent.

The White House records the luncheon as taking place on 6 July. Minaj's appearance there was another public example of mutual praise between the rapper and the president. It does not, by itself, establish a private relationship.

That distinction also matters when describing Minaj's role around the administration. Her phrase about having an opportunity to 'work with this administration' referred, in the available material, to her SBA participation.

The SBA announcement named Minaj, Cardone and Gebbia as the competition judges. Dean Cain hosted the finale, which the agency said was produced for a nationally distributed television special.

Fox interview focused mainly on why she supports Trump personally. Minaj did not present a new government title or announce a wider administration job.

Asked about critics, she offered no extended answer. 'Absolutely nothing,' she said, leaving her support for Trump exactly where she had placed it earlier in the interview.