Watch: Nicki Minaj calls JD Vance an 'assassin' infront of Erika Kirk; internet calls it 'an SNL skit'

A clip of Nicki Minaj speaking at a conservative gathering in Arizona has gone viral after the rapper awkwardly referred to US Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin” while standing alongside Erika Kirk, the widow of late activist Charlie Kirk.Minaj made a surprise appearance on Sunday at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, where she was interviewed on stage by Erika Kirk, who has taken on a leadership role within the organisation following her husband’s assassination in September. The Grammy-nominated artist used the platform to express her admiration for President Donald Trump and Vance, describing them as “role models” and praising what she called the administration’s “heart and soul”.The moment that sparked widespread reaction came as Minaj attempted to compliment Vance. “You have amazing role models, like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president,” she said, before visibly pausing and appearing to realise the gravity of her word choice. Minaj then briefly covered her mouth before trying to move past the remark with laughter. Erika sought to defuse the situation, saying she did not mind if the moment was clipped and shared online.

“I love this woman,” Minaj said in response, praising Kirk’s faith and character.

The exchange quickly spread across social media, with users expressing disbelief at the language used in such a sensitive setting. Several described the scene as surreal, with one widely shared post asking, “How is this not an SNL skit?” Others suggested Minaj had simply chosen her words badly, noting that “assassin” is sometimes used as slang to mean impressive or formidable, while critics called the exchange uncomfortable and ill-judged.

She also mocked California Governor Gavin Newsom using a nickname popularised by Trump and spoke about religious persecution in Nigeria, an issue she has recently highlighted online after sharing a Trump post on the subject.Minaj’s appearance also showed her increasingly public alignment with the MAGA movement, a sharp turn from her past criticism of Trump. In 2018, she condemned his administration’s immigration policies and described herself as an undocumented migrant as a child. On Sunday, she addressed the shift directly, telling the audience that “it’s OK to change your mind”.