NICKI MINAJ BACKS TRUMP AT MICHIGAN RALLY

Rapper Nicki Minaj joined US President Donald Trump at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday to campaign for Republican candidates ahead of the midterm elections. She travelled aboard Air Force One with Trump and filmed a video with White House communications director Steven Cheung. In the video, Minaj said Trump understood economics and called him “very tough” internationally. Trump invited her on stage after praising her appearance. Minaj led the crowd in chanting Trump’s name and the names of Republican candidates in Michigan.

“He’s given us a future to look forward to,” Minaj told the crowd, saying Trump had “changed the energy of the country”. She urged voters to elect Republican candidates, calling the elections “a major turning point for our country”. Minaj has previously called herself Trump’s “number one fan” and has criticised some of his policies during his first term. Trump called her “smart” after she left the stage. Cheung shared their Air Force One video on X and joked that Minaj could become White House press secretary.

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are competing in Michigan’s Senate race. Former President Barack Obama campaigned with El-Sayed on Saturday. At Sunday’s rally, Trump alleged that El-Sayed would “invite jihadists” into America if elected. El-Sayed has called similar remarks by Trump Islamophobic and said Trump was using his faith to distract voters from the effects of his policies. Elections on 3 November will determine which party controls Congress for the rest of Trump’s presidency.