Nicki Minaj Drops Wild Remark about Donald Trump and JD Vance Right in Front of Erika Kirk at AmericaFest

The "Super Freaky Girl" hitmaker sparked confusion and controversy after calling the US Vice President an "assassin" while praising the US President onstage.

Nicki Minaj made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest, where a verbal gaffe involving Vice President JD Vance left the audience stunned, drew quick support from host Erika Kirk, and sparked a wave of reactions across social media.

The aftermath didn't stop there, as Vance himself had since weighed in on the moment.

Shock Ripples Through the Crowd After Live On-Stage Slip

Nicki Minaj took the stage at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest on Sunday, December 21, 2025, surprising the crowd during the conservative conference's final day. She was introduced by TPUSA president Erika Kirk, who now leads the organization following the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk, back in September.

After taking the stage, Minaj began her remarks by praising President Donald Trump, "Dear young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome, dashing President..."

But then came the line that seized attention. "And you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our Vice President. And when I say that..." she added.

The moment hit immediately. Minaj covered her mouth and fell silent, remaining still for several seconds as the crowd absorbed what had just been said.

Kirk stepped in immediately to ease the tension. "Trust me, there's nothing new under the sun that I have not heard. So you're fine," she told the artist. Minaj quietly responded, "I love you." Kirk smiled and echoed, "I love you."

Despite the kind exchange, Minaj still appeared rattled. "You have to laugh about it, truly," Kirk added. "I have been called every single thing, and you know what? God is so good, you let it roll right off your back."

The internet had mixed reactions to the moment. On Instagram, one person wrote, "Honestly this is weird. It keeps getting weirder. I really was devastated when Charlie was killed." A second exclaimed, "Awkward!"

Someone else questioned whether the moment with Minaj might have been the most cringe-inducing minute ever shown on television.

On Facebook, a commenter wrote, "This is not how a grieving person behaves." Another remarked, "She's a rapper. Words are her business. This was intentional." A third wondered, "Is she tying [sic] to tell us something?"

A different viewer pointed out that Kirk also had a slip of her own. She meant to say "gift" but accidentally said "grift," which they found hilarious. A critic also noted Minaj's description of Vance as "crazy work," while another found the moment weird.

Vice President Weighs in After Viral Moment

After the event, Vance responded on X but did not address the slip. Instead, he highlighted what he viewed as the real takeaway from Minaj's appearance. He said her message showed that affirming young Black girls doesn't require putting down anyone else.

Vance described this as a rejection of the mindset that progress for one group must come at the expense of another. He criticized that kind of thinking as divisive and praised Minaj for refusing to accept it.

While the AmericaFest moment drew attention for Minaj's unexpected phrasing, it was far from the only recent instance in which Kirk found herself at the center of intense public scrutiny.

On November 22, Kirk stepped onto the stage with Megyn Kelly in Glendale, Arizona. But it wasn't the solemn subject matter or tearful moments that set tongues wagging. It was her jaw-dropping outfit that hijacked the spotlight and had netizens doing double takes.

A Bold Look That Ignited the Internet

Inside the packed Desert Diamond Arena, the two women shared the spotlight during the final evening of "Megyn Kelly Live." While the host, ever the picture of conservative elegance, chose a crisp white pantsuit with a twinkling lapel accessory, Kirk went in a dramatically different direction.

Though she also wore a suit, Kirk's was anything but traditional. Her outfit was all black and partially see-through. While the silhouette remained that of a classic jacket and trousers, the materials told a different story.

The sleeves of her jacket were crafted from delicate lace, allowing her arms to peek through the pattern. Her trousers were made from the same sheer material, exposing her legs beneath in bold contrast to Kelly's modest look.

She kept her earrings subtle, but on her fingers glittered bold rings, with bracelets stacked heavily on each wrist. It was a combination that many viewers felt was too much.

Viewers Left Baffled, Some Outraged

For some viewers, the response was disbelief. "Is this a lace pantsuit?" one person wondered. Another echoed the confusion, "Is that a lace pantsuit?"

But others were quick to call it exactly what it was. "Erika Kirk is wearing a full on see through lace pant suit btw [sic]," one person declared.

And then came the criticism.

"Her sense of 'style' makes me so uncomfortable. Between this and the leather pants, I just 😖," someone wrote. Another commenter couldn't resist invoking southern drama with, "erika kirk wearing a black lace bodysuit… welcome back scarlett o'hara [sic]."

But the most cutting remark came from a viewer who took aim at both the fashion and the emotion of the evening. "It's odd to wear see-through lace black outfits while 'mourning' your husband and never actually crying real tears," they wrote.

Others turned their focus to her accessories. "Those big golden rings are too much, aren't they? I try to empatize with her but it is hard [sic]," one said. Another asked, "What is with the gaudy rings?"

Grief, God, and Unshakable Faith

But Kirk wasn't there just to make a statement. She was there to speak from the heart.

Before a sea of watchful eyes, she sat down with Kelly to discuss the heartbreak and upheaval of her life since the assassination of her husband. Kirk pledged that his movement would not die with him.

Kelly didn't shy away from the hard questions, though. At one point, she asked Kirk whether she felt any anger or resentment toward God for the unimaginable loss she had endured. But Kirk stood firm in her beliefs, saying, "The enemy would love for me to be angry. He would love it."

The two women also dove into the backlash Kirk has faced since becoming a widow, a subject she met head-on. She admitted she didn't need the approval of others. She and her husband had always dealt with haters, and the threats they received were real, which is why they were so protective of their children.

But even amid danger, they didn't retreat from life. Erika Kirk explained how the two of them lived each day as if it were their last, with her husband often delivering gospel-infused speeches to inspire others.