Nicki Minaj<\/a><\/strong> told TIME she had privately supported Donald Trump<\/a><\/strong> for years but avoided saying so publicly out of fear of alienating fans and the music industry.<\/p>\n In the interview, Minaj said she had \u201cfelt that way already about him,\u201d but \u201cdidn\u2019t dare act like that publicly,\u201d arguing that the music business had long expected artists to align with Democratic politics.<\/p>\n She told TIME<\/a>, \u201cIt\u2019s been ingrained in everyone\u2019s brain in the music business that we are supposed to be a Democratic family. I just knew they would not like me supporting Trump.\u201d<\/p>\n Minaj\u2019s political shift developed gradually over several years rather than happening suddenly. The magazine said she had long held more conservative views than many fans realized and that her eventual endorsement of Trump was shaped by personal experiences and outreach from Trump\u2019s political operation.<\/p>\n BuzzFeed also reported that Minaj had once criticized Trump\u2019s immigration policies and behavior before beginning to signal support in late 2025. Minaj explained that she stayed quiet for years because of concerns about backlash from fans and industry figures.<\/p>\n Minaj described a music industry culture where artists were expected to support Democratic candidates. She said that the environment made her reluctant to express her political views publicly.<\/p>\n Minaj said industry reactions discouraged political independence. By: Jen Lowery\/MEGA<\/p>\n Minaj said she believed many people in the industry would disapprove of her backing Trump, contributing to her decision to remain silent for years.<\/p>\n Her political shift surprised many fans, known as the Barbz, and created tension within parts of the music community.<\/p>\n Minaj also referenced remarks made by former President Barack Obama<\/a><\/strong> during the 2024 election cycle.<\/p>\n Minaj revealed that she was frustrated by Obama\u2019s comments, urging Black voters not to sit out the election and suggesting some Black men were hesitant to support Kamala Harris<\/a><\/strong> because she is a woman. Minaj said she saw online reactions from Black men who felt unheard by those remarks.<\/p>\n She also discussed Obama\u2019s relationship with Jay-Z<\/a><\/strong>, a longtime rival of hers, telling TIME she believed it alienated some people in the hip-hop community. Minaj said, \u201cI think Jay-Z ended up costing Obama a lot, whether he knows it or not. Lots of rappers don\u2019t like Jay-Z and were afraid to say it.\u201d<\/p>\nIndustry pressure and concerns<\/h2>\n
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Reactions to political messaging directed at black voters<\/h2>\n