Coincidence? Nicki Minaj receives "Gold Card" after "No. 1 fan" proclamation

In a sequence of events that has left both the music industry and political world reeling, rapper Nicki Minaj has transitioned from a vocal critic of the Trump administration to its self-proclaimed "number one fan", a pivot that critics suggest may be timed with significant personal legal and immigration milestones.

The controversy reached a fever pitch on Wednesday following the Treasury Department’s "Trump Accounts" summit. Shortly after appearing hand-in-hand with President Donald Trump and praising him as the "best of all time," Minaj took to social media to share an image of a "Trump Gold Card," a high-tier residency document introduced under the current administration.

Welp… pic.twitter.com/c5v8ztVVLR

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) January 28, 2026

"Coincidental" Timeline

The rapid-fire succession of the rapper’s endorsements and her acquisition of the coveted residency card has sparked intense debate online:

• The Declaration: At the summit, Minaj told the crowd, "I am probably the president's number one fan, and that’s not going to change".
  
  
• The "Gold Card" Reveal: Hours later, Minaj posted a photo of the card with the caption "Welp...". The document is part of a controversial program that offers fast-tracked residency and a pathway to citizenship in exchange for a $1 million contribution and a $15,000 processing fee.
  
  
• The CitizenNIKA Shift: In a follow-up post on X, Minaj referenced her birth name (Onika Maraj), stating she was "finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak" and thanking "the petition" for motivating her.

A Radical Political Pivot

The timing of these events is particularly interesting given Minaj's history. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she previously identified as an undocumented child and was once a fierce critic of the President’s zero-tolerance immigration policies.

• 2018–2020: Minaj condemned the separation of families at the border and stated she would "not jump on the Trump bandwagon".
• 2025–2026: By late 2025, she began praising the administration, eventually calling Trump and Vice President JD Vance "role models" at a Turning Point USA event in December.

Critics Question the "Long Game"

While MAGA supporters have celebrated the "Queen of Rap's" conversion, a growing number of fans and skeptics are questioning if the alignment is purely ideological or a "savvy move" to secure her future.

• Immigration Status: Speculation persists that Minaj is utilizing the Gold Card program to resolve long-standing immigration challenges.
• Legal Shielding: Some users have suggested the alignment could be a play for presidential leniency regarding her husband, Kenneth Petty, who has faced legal issues regarding his status as a registered sex offender.

As of Thursday, more than 120,000 signatures have been collected on petitions calling for her deportation, even as she reportedly contributes between $150,000 and $300,000 to fund the administration’s new child investment accounts.

Neither the White House nor Minaj's representatives have commented on whether her "No. 1 Fan" status and the issuance of the Gold Card are related.