Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) is facing backlash after launching a sharp public attack on rapper Nicki Minaj, criticizing the entertainer for her recent praise of President Donald Trump and her growing presence in conservative political circles.
Crockett made the comments during an interview with TMZ on Tuesday, accusing Minaj of abandoning her past views and aligning herself with the Trump administration for personal or political gain.
“I don’t respect sellouts, especially right now,” Crockett said, claiming that current political issues are too serious for what she described as celebrity opportunism.
Crockett Targets Minaj’s Immigration History
The Texas Democrat also focused on Minaj’s immigration background, arguing that the singer’s support for Trump contradicts earlier statements she made criticizing border enforcement policies.
Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, previously wrote in a 2018 social media post that she entered the United States illegally with her family as a child. At the time, she spoke out forcefully against the Trump administration’s family separation policy at the southern border, describing the situation as frightening for migrant children.
“I can’t imagine the terror of being taken from your parents at such a young age,” Minaj wrote at the time, urging the administration to reverse course.
Nicki Minaj’s Sudden Shift Toward Trump
In recent weeks, however, Minaj has taken a dramatically different tone.
The “Starships” rapper has openly praised President Trump at multiple public events, including a surprise appearance at the annual conference hosted by Turning Point USA, where she told the crowd she has “the utmost respect and admiration” for the president.
Last week, Minaj went even further, calling herself Trump’s “No. 1 fan” while speaking onstage at a United States Department of the Treasury event highlighting the administration’s new child investment account initiative.
“The criticism doesn’t bother me,” Minaj said. “If anything, it motivates me to support him even more.”
White House Clarifies ‘Gold Card’ Controversy
Following the Treasury event, Minaj posted a photo on X showing a “gold card” she said was given to her by President Trump. She later joked that she was finalizing citizenship paperwork.
The White House later clarified to The Hill that the card was a commemorative item, not an immigration or visa document. The administration’s real “gold card” program, created by executive order last September, is designed to help attract highly skilled foreign workers and typically includes significant fees.
Crockett Condemns Minaj Over Don Lemon Comments
Crockett also criticized Minaj for recent social media posts targeting former CNN anchor Don Lemon, who is currently facing charges connected to coverage of an anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protest at a church in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Minaj publicly called for Lemon to be jailed following the incident. Lemon responded by accusing the rapper of bigotry and urged supporters to boycott her music.
Crockett labeled Minaj’s comments “wrong” and warned that her alignment with Trump and the MAGA movement could have long-term consequences.
“She’s on the wrong side of history,” Crockett said, suggesting that Minaj would regret the stance if public opinion shifts in the future.
Politics, Pop Culture, and the 2026 Divide
The clash highlights a growing trend in American politics: celebrities stepping into partisan debates and drawing intense reactions from both sides. As President Trump continues to reshape the political landscape in his second administration, high-profile cultural figures are increasingly choosing sides — and Democrats like Crockett are making it clear they intend to fight those alliances aggressively.