Nicki Minaj brings her Trump support to Treasury Department event amid growing political backlash

The rapper is lending star power to a White House-backed children’s investment plan, marking her most formal step yet into Trump-aligned politics.

Nicki Minaj is set to appear at a U.S. Treasury Department summit this week as the Trump administration rolls out a new government-backed investment program for children. Her participation places the rapper inside a formal federal policy announcement at a moment when her political alignment and public standing have become increasingly contentious.

The Treasury event is expected to feature President Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and several high-profile figures from business and entertainment. At the center of the summit is the launch of “Trump Accounts,” a savings program created under last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

The accounts are available to children under 18 and are structured to grow tax-free, similar to an individual retirement account. Once account holders reach adulthood, the money can be used for specific purposes such as education, buying a home, starting a business, or retirement. Enrollment is not automatic. Parents must actively sign their children up to participate.

Minaj confirmed her attendance in a post on X, framing the initiative as an investment in the next generation. “The true meaning of paying it forward,” she wrote, adding that early financial literacy could give children a major head start and even allow them to teach their parents how to invest.

The true meaning of paying it forward.

Early financial literacy & financial support for our children will give them a major head start in life.

In some cases, they will end up teaching their very own parents how to invest & what to invest in.

This makes me very happy. 🎀 https://t.co/s8jkp8O9lu— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 24, 2026

Her appearance, however, comes amid growing backlash tied to her recent political positioning. In recent weeks, online petitions calling for Minaj to be deported have circulated widely, drawing tens of thousands of signatures. The petitions referenced past social media posts in which Minaj discussed immigrating to the United States as a child, though immigration experts have noted the petitions carry no legal authority.

Minaj has also faced heightened scrutiny following a public dispute with former CNN anchor Don Lemon, whom she criticized in a post on X. The exchange fueled broader criticism from fans and commentators who say her recent rhetoric marks a sharp departure from the political views that once defined much of her audience. Reports have also pointed to a noticeable drop in her social media following during this period, signaling a fracture between the artist and portions of her longtime fan base.

Just weeks ago, she made a surprise appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she was photographed alongside Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The appearance drew fresh scrutiny and reinforced perceptions that Minaj’s political engagement has moved beyond online commentary and into organized conservative circles.

The timing of the Treasury summit adds another layer. Trump’s administration has been locked in ongoing disputes with key economic institutions, including the Federal Reserve. The president has repeatedly clashed with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell over interest-rate policy and has publicly questioned the central bank’s independence.

Those tensions escalated further after the Justice Department opened a criminal investigation into Powell related to testimony and renovations at the Federal Reserve’s headquarters. Powell and a bipartisan group of former Treasury secretaries and Fed chairs have pushed back, warning that political pressure on the central bank risks undermining its long-standing autonomy.

Economists have long emphasized that institutions like the Treasury Department and the Federal Reserve are designed to operate independently from partisan influence. Trump’s public criticism of Powell and his repeated suggestions that the Fed should align more closely with White House priorities have raised concerns among financial experts about the politicization of economic governance.

Against that backdrop, the administration’s decision to roll out Trump Accounts with celebrity support reflects a broader strategy. Observers note that Trump has increasingly leaned on well-known cultural figures to promote policy initiatives, particularly when seeking to reach audiences skeptical of traditional political messaging.

Minaj’s participation fits squarely within that approach. As a polarizing figure with a massive platform, her presence offers the administration a direct line to younger and more culturally engaged audiences, even as her political evolution continues to alienate parts of her base.

In that sense, the Treasury appearance is about more than a savings program. It highlights how celebrity, policy, and political power are intersecting at a moment of institutional strain, cultural division, and shifting public allegiances.