Phoenix, Arizona, 23 December (H.S.): Vice President JD Vance lauded rapper Nicki Minaj on Monday for her poignant message of unity delivered during a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest on Sunday(December 21), overshadowing her awkward verbal slip that referenced the recent assassination of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk.
The annual conservative youth conference in Phoenix, attended by thousands, featured symbolic tributes including a replica of the tent where Kirk was fatally shot on September 10, 2025, at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, marking the event's first iteration since his death.
Vance's endorsement via X highlighted Minaj's rejection of divisive zero-sum thinking, amplifying the moment amid Monday's online buzz and celebrity backlash.
Vance Amplifies Minaj's Unity Message Amid Viral Slip
In an X post Monday, Vance paraphrased Minaj's onstage exchange with Erika Kirk—Charlie's widow and TPUSA CEO—where she affirmed that uplifting Black girls need not diminish others, stating, We all got wrapped up over the last few years in zero sum thinking driven by elites pitting communities against one another.
Minaj had urged young men to follow amazing role models like our handsome, dashing president Donald Trump and the assassin JD Vance, trailing off in horror, microphone lowered and hand to mouth, evoking Kirk's killing by alleged assassin Tyler Robinson, who faces aggravated murder charges and seeks to disqualify prosecutors.
Erika swiftly reassured her: Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun... I love you, praising Minaj's heart and faith, a moment that diffused tension with crowd laughter and murmurs.
Monday Backlash: Hilton Questions Minaj's Motives
Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton ignited controversy Monday on his podcast, accusing Minaj—a zero-time Grammy winner—of chasing a hefty paycheck for her reverent AmFest praise, dismissing her spiritual fulfillment as insincere given her stadium-filling career.
Hilton, decrying her as a horrible human being, referenced family legal issues involving husband Kenneth Petty and her brother, alleging funded defenses, while questioning authenticity behind her Trump-Vance admiration as full of love and soul.
Minaj, undeterred, had dismissed industry backlash onstage, claiming she didn't notice, echoing her November UN speech on Nigerian Christian persecution, a Trump-backed cause.
Vance's Tribute and Broader Lineup Honor Kirk's Legacy
Vance headlined Sunday's finale with a fiery call: If you miss Charlie Kirk, do you promise to fight what he died for?—vowing radical prosecutions, slamming Democrats like Governor Gavin Newsom, and thanking Erika's nod to his 2028 prospects, stressing Kirk's inclusive vision.
Minaj aligned with TPUSA by critiquing Newsom, embracing faith-driven change as OK to change your mind. Other highlights included Donald Trump Jr., House Speaker Mike Johnson, and a presidential phone call, reinforcing resilience themes amid political violence.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
