Donald Trump Praises Nicki Minaj's Buttocks

What happened

Updated Oct 26, 11:09am ET

Donald Trump praised Nicki Minaj’s buttocks during a campaign rally in Michigan, calling her backside beautiful and asking her to stand. White House communications director Steven Cheung later posted a mock interview with the rapper and suggested she could be the next White House press secretary. Minaj appeared with Trump in Port Huron, where he was campaigning for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and gubernatorial candidate John James. The rally came during the 2026 midterm campaign, as Republicans sought Michigan’s Senate and governor’s offices. Minaj told Trump she would keep supporting him and would back him if he ran again, though the Constitution bars a third election. She urged voters to elect Rogers and James.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed the moment as crude spectacle and a sign of a thin closing message, not routine celebrity campaigning. HuffPost lingered on Trump’s repeated backside comments as bizarre behavior, then cast Minaj’s MAGA loyalty as a surrogate turn amplified by the press-secretary tease.

How the right told it

Right-leaning outlets treated Minaj’s appearance as useful star power for Republicans, while separating Trump’s aside as a detour from the pitch. Fox News emphasized Minaj’s loyalty to Trump and her push for Michigan voters to back Republican candidates. The Washington Times noted Trump’s praise as an off-message turn.