Nicki Minaj on Trump, New Music, and Family Life | KMP Ep. 25

0:00Katie Miller:You've been recently very vocal about politics and social issues. What issues specifically drew you in the most? If I'm being honest, President Trump. Because when I saw how he was being treated over and over and over, I just couldn't handle it. I felt that that had been done to me for so many years. And I was watching it in real time happen to someone else. And I didn't think he deserved it. But at that time, I didn't come out and endorse him. I wish I did, though. How do you balance being the celebrity Nicki Minaj with just being mom? Well, I'm not always Nicki Minaj, but I'm always mom. What is it like to create that family unit in a place where normally, especially in rap culture, that's not something that is, I would say, shown every day, you know, and idolized?

0:50After a while, no matter how much fame or fortune you get, nothing, and I mean nothing, feels better than going home to the people you love and the people who love you and the people who know you and understand you, you know, it's just a very fulfilling feeling.

1:07Katie Miller:When you're going through something like that very publicly on the internet and, you know, everyone is talking about you, how do you handle situations like that? Do you just not pay attention or do you revel in the fact that people are talking about you? Well, I'd rather keep that to myself. Don't want to give the enemies any ideas.

1:38Katie Miller:Hi, everyone, and welcome to this episode of the Katie Miller Podcast. We're so excited to be back in Washington, D.C. today, joined in D.C. by the one and only Nicki Minaj. Hi, Katie. You've been recently very vocal about politics and social issues. Was there a specific moment that flipped the switch for you? Was it Gavin Newsom? Was it Nigeria? What made you wake up, so to speak? Well, you know what, Katie? I think that people's steps are aligned. I used to always tell people this when I was growing up, but I had this strong premonition my whole life that I had a second job to do. Like, I would always tell people that knew me very, like, that I was close with, I would always tell them, you know, the Lord told me that I have a second calling.

2:36I would say a second calling because I, and this was, by the way, this was before I even made it in rap. So imagine not making it in rap and being told, in your head you have that to do, but you'll have another thing to do. So I just used to be like, OK. And I thought that maybe the Lord was putting that in my heart because maybe I would have a church. So I would tell. So even jokingly, I would call my husband Pastor, Pastor Petty. I'd be like, you need to get your sermons ready and get ready to preach, you know. But something inside of me just told me I would have another thing to do. And so actually, the first time I said it out loud or texted it was during the last campaign.

3:23The presidential campaign, this last one, I saw something and I texted someone I knew right away. And I said, this is a mistake. And I also said, all of this is making me want to get into politics. politics. So the last thing that really did it was me seeing certain things, the campaign, this recent campaign, presidential campaign, and knowing that I could help because the things that I was saying, it was happening. Like I was saying, oh, this is a bad idea or this is a good idea. And the things I was saying were coming to fruition. And so it made me think, oh, this is probably, this is easy. I mean, if it's this easy, then maybe I should do it.

4:11And then there was something that happened a few months ago that if I wasn't going to do it before, something happened a couple months ago. What happened? I don't want to talk about it, but I'll say that sometimes people can push you so much that they push you all the way into your next calling, into your next blessing, into your next life. And that's what happened with me. What issues specifically drew you in the most?

4:51Katie Miller:Is it immigration? Is it the economic policy? Is it religious freedoms? What specifically, you know, answers that calling that you talk about? Definitely, religious freedom is something that's very important to me. But if I'm being honest, President Trump. Yes. Because when I saw how he was being treated over and over and over, I just couldn't handle Like, because I felt that that same, you know, a lot of that bullying and the smear campaigns and all of the lying, I felt that that had been done to me for so many years. And I was watching it in real time happen to someone else. And I didn't think he deserved it.

5:41And it made me think, I can't do this anymore.

5:46Katie Miller:Have you ever spoken with President Trump? I have. during the last campaign. I spoke to him briefly. I forgot exactly what they said when they called. Oh, gosh. I forgot, but I remember saying I wanted to ask him some questions, and he got on the phone. He was very easy to talk to and, you know, polite and all of that, and I asked him, I asked him a few questions because I said, you know, with me, everything I do, I have to take account, I have to take an account for my fan base. And so I had recently been seeing a couple things circling online and I just wanted to confirm with him directly. And I said, you know, do you have a problem with the LGBT community?

6:48And I asked him if he had a problem with the Jewish community. And I asked him about women's rights. And he gave me wonderful answers to all of them, to where I knew that he respected me and he respected my fan base. And it was very, you know, very thoughtful questions and just honest. And that's the thing with him. You know, he just is an authentic human being. You know, it didn't feel like he was making up an answer or trying to, you know, make something that was going to sound good. It sounded like he really answered the question as if he and I were best friends, you know, from 25 years ago.

7:39You know, like, and it made me feel comfortable. But at that time, I didn't come out and endorse him. I wish I did, though.

7:49Katie Miller:You and President Trump both like to give people nicknames. Yeah. President Trump refers to Gavin Newsom as Gavin Newsom. So do you. Can you tell me, did you come up with it first? Did President Trump come up with it first? Thank you for asking, because a lot of the Barb's thought that I made it up. So I have to make sure this is clear. Barb's, the president made that up. I stole that nickname from him because people like my fans know I'm a nickname person. I give everyone a nickname, especially if I don't like them. But then, no, actually, in the people I love a lot, I do give them nicknames too.

8:22but that's why Trump is so funny because he reminds me a lot about a lot of myself in a lot of ways so no he called Gavin newscom and I thought it was hilarious and but it was a long time ago when he made that up and he's you know that's been his thing for a long time and so when I was about to acknowledge him you know recently of course I was gonna call him newscom like I mean it was already branded in my opinion.

8:52Katie Miller:What is some of the policies in California, given you've spent a lot of time there, that makes you think Gavin Newsom is Gavin Newsom? Is it the mass amount of illegal immigration and tax dollars being spent for legal aid in health care? Is it the failure to rebuild homes in the Palisades? Is it just pro-trans ideology and pushing that on kids in schools? what stands out the most to you? And I'm glad you asked that because I want to make it clear. I personally don't have an issue with the trans part of the LGBT at all. I am the biggest advocate for adults being able to do whatever the heck they want to do.

9:35They're adults. I don't care. I only mentioned something because when it comes to children, I wouldn't even allow my 17-year-old daughter to get breast implants. And most, 99 % of the parents would not let their 17-year-old child get breast implants. So if you wouldn't let a child get breast implants, you're not going to want them to have any kind of surgery because we all know the brain is not developed. And we've heard about 19 times more likely to commit suicide. What more do you need to know? That a child is 19 times more likely to commit suicide if they have a surgery before they're an adult?

10:21So I just wanted to make that clear because, you know, of course, I don't judge, you know, adults. They can do whatever they want. With Newscom, it's the fact that with everything you said, but then having the audacity to be playing on Twitter, obsessed with Trump, trying to be Trump, trying to be funny when it's not. and then wanting to roll around in the mud with female rappers or whomever and completely missing the plot. That's the thing. You are competing with President Trump, but President Trump is already the president. Get it? He's already done it twice. He's won. Good. But meanwhile, you are embarking on a journey that will end up being a big, huge failure for him, but still don't seem to grasp the fact that these jokes that you're making are only funny to your assistant.

11:37you know the weirdo little guy that calls black women stupid hoes and stuff you see um but but that's the whole thing no one cares and he's making a fool out of himself like when he went all the way to another country to speak ill of the country and the president we would never want someone like that to be our president. Americans are so big on loyalty. And that just showed us all, you do not have a loyal bone in your body and no one is going to vote for you. But, so it was a little bit, you know, so it was that, but it was that I don't think people realize and you guys, you know, but I publicly asked for his help a couple times on Twitter about swatting calls that were happening that were clearly a part of their extended smear campaign.

12:42And he completely ignored it, right? And next thing you know, he's on there flapping his gums about female rap stuff and trying to get in women's business. So I had to show him who's boss on Twitter.

13:04Katie Miller:So good. You came to this country when you were little as an immigrant. What are your thoughts on the Trump administration's approach to illegal immigration and deportations? Um, well, if I had a business or a home or anything and someone was there one day when I walked downstairs to cook breakfast or something, I would have them kicked out of my home because I didn't invite them. And this is my private home. So the president has to treat the United States as if it's his private home. People all around the world have to respect the policies of the country and the administration. Therefore, to my immigrants, who I love very much, I love my immigrants, I'm an immigrant.

14:06But how can you tell a president not to enforce a law that simply says you have to be legal to get in the country? Now, what people don't understand is there are spies. There are things that we don't know about, but that, you know, but that the administration and that security knows about. People who have to secure the country. so a person coming in illegally to the country, they could be there to do anything. You do not know. They have to be vetted. There's nothing wrong with that. It would be so stupid of any country to have an open door policy where people are not vetted. Imagine having somebody that you do not know in your home and you don't know anything about them.

14:59We do background checks for everything. You don't think there needs to be a background check to get in the country?

15:10So I don't know. That may have come off too harsh.

15:13Katie Miller:Um, but I think it was a good explanation. You could have been harder. Okay. How has illegal immigration impacted the black community specifically? Well, African Americans have finally decided, find somebody else to do it. That's why they're not protesting. Okay. They finally decided that they are not going to be anyone's pawn in these political games anymore in this political theater, the political theatrics. they're not going to be bothered. They're going to be at work or at home or, you know, creating. And that's that. And I'm very happy because where's the money? Where are the billions of dollars that were stolen?

15:59Okay? Because guess what? The people who work hard and pay taxes, they have a right to know. Like, there's no more distracting people. Everyone is smarter than that. And I think that's where African Americans stand right now. is that they're not going to keep on speaking for people who every time they get in office, they completely forget about them, you know, and they just use them, you know, every four years. Find somebody else to do it.

16:28Katie Miller:You called for Don Lemon's arrest. You called for Don Lemon's arrest over his church stunt in Minneapolis. He's since called you racist, unhinged, homophobic, and out of your death. Anything you'd like to say to Don Lemon? Cocksucker, stop.

16:48Katie Miller:When you're going through something like that very publicly on the Internet. Yes. And, you know, everyone is talking about you. How do you handle situations like that? Do you just not pay attention? Do you love it? Do you want to crawl back into a hole? I've never been happier, child. Truly, truly, I've never been happier. So I hope that answers your question. I come from asking, like, when you're a mom and your whole town's talking about you or there's a Facebook group and everyone's talking about you and someone has a tough day on a much smaller scale than what you would have to deal with, and you were giving that mom advice, would you say just don't pay attention or do you revel in the fact that people are talking about you?

17:35Well, I'd rather keep that to myself. Don't want to give the enemies any ideas.

17:43Katie Miller:What was it like stepping on stage at Turning Point? Is that anything like stepping on stage at a concert? Or totally different? Yeah, it's totally different for me. What was it like meeting J.D. Vance? It was great. He was very polite. He comes, of course, a lot younger in person. Like his energy felt younger than it does on TV. I'm sure he won't mind that. Right. You recently announced that you were giving money to the Trump accounts for future generations. Why is that important to you and why did you decide to join President Trump on stage and speak up? Well, because obviously, well, I'm a black woman.

18:29So I think about all of the things that go on in communities that are predominantly black, where there are so many intelligent children, so many creative, bright children that simply didn't get a head start in life, you know? And so when I saw the Trump accounts thing being talked about the first day the president ever spoke on it with Dell, I was just like, wow, like I love this idea. Like it's money that's going to be growing as, you know, as they're getting older, it's collecting interest and and and then and so I my big thing is financial literacy because you could teach a person everything in the world but if they don't know how to manage money if they don't know what the financial world really entails then they'll get it and lose it so what is the point you know look at all these you know artists in the public eye that have had so much money one minute and then nothing another minute.

19:37So I just think especially for children in the inner cities, children who didn't, weren't born rich or weren't born middle class even, that they get to now have something to look forward to when they're getting older. You know, they'll be having even money growing, which could potentially go into their college tuition, etc. But just creating little businessmen and businesswomen. That's ultimately why I love it. And I think one of the things people love about President Trump is that he is a businessman, but he also gives insight on how you too can be a businessman and businesswoman.

20:22Katie Miller:So it's pretty cool. Do you think our schools are teaching that? Do you think our schools are well-serving students right now in the country? I don't think our schools teach that at all. I mean, it didn't when I was in school, so I don't know if the curriculum has changed, but yeah. So I don't know much about what's being taught, but I think financial literacy, I think that would be an amazing thing to add to their curriculum. At least in high school, I agree. So you're undisputably the queen of rap. Who do you think is the king? God is the king. There's not a woman in hip-hop who hasn't been compared to you.

21:13Katie Miller:What's the worst part and the best part of being the standard? I don't think there's a worse part because it's such a blessing to be given that title. but um well I'll say the best part is having the best fan base in the whole world who always have my back and support me. In this new phase where you've spoken out a lot about your personal beliefs your fan base has really stood beside you and grown what does that mean to you as your fans have come along for the ride? I can't even begin to explain how grateful I feel. I never saw, I never could, would have been able to predict this part of my life happening.

22:05But having my fans along for the ride makes everything worth it in the end, you know? So it doesn't matter what I have to deal with, knowing that they still love and support me, it just makes everything feel like home, like perfect, like comforting.

22:23Katie Miller:Would you ever consider using your platform to enter politics? Yes, I've already entered. What's it been like for you since you've entered? How has your label reacted? I don't know. I haven't spoken to them. Has any of this kind of, I don't want to say change, but this evolution of Nicki Minaj going to be represented in new music that you may publish. Yes. Polymarket has some odds on if you plan to drop new music this year. Really? They do. It says 89 % chance as of like, as we're talking, that Nicki Minaj is going to drop an album this year. Wow. Do you think you'll drop some new music this year?

23:09Katie Miller:I'd like to. I know it would make the Barb's happy. I think the Barb's would be very happy. Yes. So I am, I was going to have what it used to be. No, I still am a big Nicki Minaj fan. There's a trend on Instagram where it's like all these suburban moms in their cars rapping. And they say, are you a Taylor Swift fan? It's like, no, turn up the music. I'm this type of person. And it's like rapping Nicki Minaj alone in your car as a white girl. Wow. So we are going to start off with my favorite version of something about your lyrics. Okay. He tossed my salad like his name, Romaine. Are we really just into Caesar salad?

23:52It's just a play on words. It's just a play on words. The toast salad and Romaine. That's all that really was.

24:02Katie Miller:Starships were meant to fly. Did you think Elon Musk would take that seriously? No, but I'm happy that he has taken it seriously. Who came up with it first, you or him? I didn't know him when I did it. But you know what? But actually, this is amazing that you mentioned this, because I've never spoken about this before. The producer, Red One, already had that chorus and the beat. So they sent it to us, and I just had to write the verse and the bridge. So I don't know if Elon may have had something to do with creating that chorus. I don't know. Funny. I understand that smack it and grip it, but kiss it?

24:43Katie Miller:Is that your secret to the perfect sourdough? Um, yes. Yep. Yes. Let him eat it with his grills. Are we talking Traeger or Blackstone? Um, gold.

25:04Katie Miller:When you handle the bees in the trap, are you wearing protective gloves? I would advise everyone to do that, yes. But me, per se, I've never done that kind of bees stuff yet. Hopefully I will. Maybe one day I'll have the bee thing in the backyard. What did you think of the TikTok trend? I loved it, actually. I really enjoy watching people have fun and enjoy themselves with my music. You know, actually that made me feel really, really good. Do you think an anaconda would make a good pet? No. Well, it depends. It depends.