President Donald Trump made waves this week after gifting a flashy $1 million “Gold Card” to music star Nicki Minaj—but reports now indicate the card carries no actual immigration benefit.
Minaj appeared Wednesday at a Trump-hosted event in Washington, D.C., where she praised the president and described herself as his “number one fan.” During her remarks, she accused Trump’s critics of unfairly targeting him and applauded his leadership. Following the event, Minaj was seen socializing with senior administration officials and House Speaker Mike Johnson.
Later that evening, Minaj posted photos on social media displaying a gold-colored Trump “Gold Card.” The recently launched Gold Card program allows foreign nationals to purchase U.S. permanent residency for $1 million, along with a $15,000 processing fee. The initiative has been promoted as a premium alternative to traditional immigration pathways.
Minaj, who was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad, has lived in the United States for decades. In additional posts, she suggested she was “finalizing” her citizenship paperwork and thanked President Trump, leading some supporters to believe the card may have played a role in her legal status.
However, according to reporting from The New York Times, the card itself was purely symbolic. A White House official told the outlet that the item was intended as a keepsake and does not function as an immigration document.
A Department of Homeland Security official separately indicated that Minaj has held legal permanent resident status for roughly two decades, making her eligible to pursue U.S. citizenship well before the card was issued.
In other words, despite the social media excitement, the Gold Card appears to offer Minaj no tangible legal advantage.
The Gold Card program debuted last month and has already sparked debate. The administration has also previewed a higher-tier “Platinum Card,” reportedly priced at $5 million, which would offer limited tax advantages on foreign income for a defined period.
Supporters argue the program brings investment into the U.S. economy without burdening taxpayers, while critics say the celebrity attention risks confusing policy with publicity. Either way, the Minaj episode underscores how Trump continues to blend politics, branding, and media attention in ways few presidents ever have.