International rap superstar Nicki Minaj has found herself at the centre of a major social faux pas after making a shockingly ill-timed comment during a public appearance in the United States.
Awkward Moment at Conservative Festival
The incident unfolded on Sunday at the high-profile AmericaFest event in Arizona, where Minaj was a guest speaker alongside Erika Kirk, the widow of the late Turning Point USA CEO Charlie Kirk. Minaj walked out alongside Erika, who now leads the conservative organisation, for a Q&A session.
During the discussion, Erika Kirk asked the pop icon what advice she would give to the many young men in the audience. Minaj responded by naming former US President Donald Trump as "handsome, dashing" and a potential role model.
The Unfortunate Slip of the Tongue
The situation turned sharply awkward moments later. In her advice, Minaj told Erika: "You have amazing role models like the assassin JD Vance." The mention of the word "assassin" sent an immediate ripple through the crowd, given the traumatic context.
Erika Kirk's husband, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed at a Utah college event in September. The comment prompted a mix of shocked silence and nervous laughter from the audience.
Minaj quickly covered her mouth in apparent horror upon realising her mistake and looked away. Erika Kirk, however, stepped in gracefully to defuse the intense moment.
Widow's Gracious Response Diffuses Tension
"Trust me, there is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard," Erika told Minaj, adding "I love you." She then addressed the crowd directly.
"You have to laugh about it, truly," she said. "I have been called every single thing, and you know what, God is so good, you let it roll right off your back."
She went on to state she didn't care if the incident was clipped and shared online, describing Minaj as an "amazing woman." "Words are words, but I know her heart, it doesn't even matter," Erika concluded.
Ongoing Legal Proceedings Following Shooting
The awkward moment comes just weeks after the alleged killer of Charlie Kirk, Tyler Robinson, made his first court appearance in Utah. Robinson faces a series of serious charges including:
- Aggravated murder
- Felony use of a firearm
- Obstruction of justice
- Witness tampering
- Commission of a violent offence in the presence of a child
Robinson has not yet entered a plea. A three-day preliminary hearing is scheduled to begin on May 18, 2026. He surrendered to police on September 11, the day after the shooting.
Erika Kirk has been designated as a victim representative by the court, granting her greater access to case information. She has been a vocal advocate for the proceedings to be open to the public, partly to combat conspiracy theories about her husband's death.
"We deserve to have cameras in there," she told Fox News recently. "Why not be transparent?"
