Nicki Minaj Arrives Hand-in-Hand with Erika Kirk at Turning Point Event Before Praising Trump as ‘Handsome’ and ‘Dashing’

Nicki Minaj made an unannounced appearance at AmericaFest, joining Erika Kirk onstage for a closing conversation at Turning Point USA’s annual convention.

At the event in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, Dec. 21, Minaj, 43, walked out hand in hand with Erika, 37. It marked Erika’s first time attending the political gathering since the death of her husband, Charlie Kirk.

Erika now leads the organization as CEO, a position she assumed after Charlie was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA event held at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10. He was 31.

During their conversation, Erika asked Minaj what she said she has learned from Donald Trump’s administration. Minaj replied, “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president. I don’t know if he even knows this, but he’s given so many people hope.”

When Erika later asked why Minaj decided to support Trump, 79, Minaj explained, “I just got tired of being pushed around.”

“I have something inside of me that’s stronger than what’s out there. So when you’ve had enough, you realize, ‘Wait a minute, why do I even care about these people and what they think? Who are they?’ They don’t even know who they are. So I’m not going to back down anymore. I’m not going to back down ever again,” she continued.

Minaj also took a jab at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, referencing a prior dispute on X after Minaj criticized comments Newsom made about his support for transgender youth.

When asked what advice she’d give to young men, Minaj told Erika, “Don’t be New-scum,” a play on the governor’s name. She then described Trump as “handsome” and “dashing,” calling him a good “role model,” and also mentioned JD Vance.

AmericaFest began on Thursday, Dec. 18, and ran through Dec. 21 at the Phoenix Convention Center. This year’s conference was promoted as “a powerful celebration of faith, freedom, and the legacy of our founder, Charlie Kirk.”

Charlie was known for his “Prove Me Wrong” table as part of his American Comeback Tour when he was shot and killed on Sept. 10.

After a manhunt, Tyler Robinson was taken into custody. Robinson, 22, faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder, in connection with Charlie’s death.

At the event, one of the main attractions is a photo opportunity inside a recreation of the booth where Charlie was murdered.

Erika was unanimously elected CEO of Turning Point USA and chair of the board after Charlie’s killing. He co-founded the nonprofit at 18 to advocate for conservative politics on high school and college campuses and became known for his “Prove Me Wrong” debates.

In an open letter posted to social media on Sept. 18, members of the organization’s board said Charlie had “expressed to multiple executives that this is what he wanted in the event of his death.”

“It was the honor of our lives to serve as board members at Charlie’s side,” they wrote. “Charlie prepared all of us for a moment like this one. He worked tirelessly to ensure that Turning Point USA was built to survive even the greatest tests. And now, it is our great pride to announce Erika Kirk as the new CEO and Chair of the Board for Turning Point USA.”

Erika and Charlie married in 2021 after three years of dating. Before taking over as CEO, Erika was named Miss Arizona USA in 2011, and later appeared on the third season of Bravo’s Summer House.

She also launched a faith-based podcast and clothing line and worked as a real estate agent. Erika has two children with Charlie: a daughter born in August 2022 and a son born in May 2024.