Nicki Minaj Says She’s ‘Not Going Anywhere’ After Donald Trump Calls Her His ‘Favorite’: ‘She’s Been With Me a Long Time’

Cyndi Lauper also said she doesn't regret working with Minaj, despite her Trump support. Nicki Minaj joins U.S. President Donald Trump on stage as he delivers remarks during the Treasury Department's Trump Accounts Summit at Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium on January 28, 2026 in Washington, DC. Win McNamee/Getty Images Trending on Billboard Nicki Minaj’s MAGA pivot won’t be ending anytime soon. Minaj informed the Barbz via X on Tuesday (Oct. 20) that she’s “not going anywhere” when it comes to her political allegiances and loyalty to President Donald Trump. Trump gushed about Minaj during an Oval Office meeting earlier this week. “There she is, my favorite. She’s been with me a long time. I won’t say how long,” he said. Donning a splattered white-and-black dress, Minaj replied in a high-pitched tone, “Hi, Mr. President.” “Not going anywhere. Right where I need to be,” Minaj added on X hours later. The Queens native served as a judge for the Trump administration’s small-business Million Dollar Pitch Competition, which had a $1 million prize on the line. She was joined by private equity fund manager Grant Cardone and Airbnb cofounder Joe Gebbia as judges for the competition. Minaj hasn’t been shy about her ties to the Republican Party and praise for Donald Trump throughout the year. The “Super Bass” rapper met the president for the frist time at a Trump Accounts Summit in January, where she labeled herself as his No. 1 fan. The commander in chief returned the favor while championing Minaj during a presidential luncheon in July. “She’s a fantastic person and she’s a woman that’s respected by everybody,” he said. “And she’s got real talent, Nicki Minaj. Nicki, stand up, please. Such a great person and respected by everybody.” Nicki Minaj continued her love affair with the Trump administration during a September appearance on The Ingraham Angle. “I am honored to be able to have an opportunity to work with this administration and to work with President Trump. He has inspired many people, not just me. He’s fun,” Minaj said. While her Trump support has turned off some of her Barbz and collaborators, Cyndi Lauper doesn’t regret working with Minaj. Lauper gave Minaj a rare sample clearance of her 1983 hit “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” for Pink Friday 2‘s “Pink Friday Girls” in 2023, which reached No. 82 on the Billboard Hot 100. “First of all, I don’t believe in cancellation. And second of all, the fact that she did ‘Girls Just Want to Have Fun’ musically — it’s a political thing anyway, babes,” Lauper told The Guardian. “Girls just want to have fun. They’re entitled to a joyful experience in this world. Like it or not, we’re here. We’re not going out in the rice fields any more. Yes, rise up and put your foot down, and she did.” She continued: “I don’t know what she’s doing now. But I still don’t think you cancel people, because otherwise there’s no room for discussion.” Pink Friday 2 is Minaj’s most recent album, which arrived in December 2023 and topped the Billboard 200. Get weekly rundowns straight to your inbox Sign Up