Hochul says Trump is ‘poisoning’ Nicki Minaj’s mind as rapper calls governor ‘evil,’ backs GOP rival
WASHINGTON, DC: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul has accused President Donald Trump of influencing rapper Nicki Minaj’s views the artist called the Democratic governor an “evil woman” and urged voters to support Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.
The exchange unfolded on social media and at campaign events ahead of the November 3 election. Minaj criticized Hochul over her past remarks about Black children in the Bronx, while the governor responded to the rapper’s growing support for Trump and other Republicans.
Hochul says Trump rallies are influencing Nicki Minaj
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Hochul responded to Minaj’s criticism by suggesting the rapper should spend less time online and stop attending Trump rallies.
"Maybe she oughta get outside and get offline a little more," Hochul told reporters. "And stop going to Trump rallies, it's kinda poisoning your mind."
Gov. Kathy Hochul, asked about Nicki Minaj’s beef, says she should “get outside.” “And stop going to Trump rallies, it’s kinda poisoning your mind.” https://t.co/eKJuqKH9Vv
— Vaughn Golden (@VaughnEGolden) October 28, 2026
Hochul was responding to a post Minaj shared on X on Wednesday afternoon, in which the rapper called the governor an "evil woman."
"The Democratic Party should forfeit her seat because even if she wins, she will be of great consequence to them," Minaj, who called herself Trump's "No. 1 fan," wrote on the social media platform.
"Downward spiral for her. She will not escape God's wrath. She did not denounce evil when she had the chance," she concluded.
Nicki Minaj urges voters to back Bruce Blakeman
Minaj also urged Black and Christian voters to reject Hochul and support Blakeman, directing her criticism at the governor’s past remarks about children in the Bronx.
Kathy Hochul is an evil woman. The Democratic Party should forfeit her seat because even if she wins, she will be of great consequence to them. Downward spiral for her. She will not escape God’s wrath. She did not denounce evil when she had the chance.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 28, 2026
Minaj’s post referred to Hochul’s earlier comments about Black children growing up in the Bronx.
“Right now we have, you know, young black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word computer is,” Hochul said. “They don’t know, they don’t know these things. And I want the world opened up to all of them.”
Blakeman criticized Hochul over the remarks during their only gubernatorial debate earlier this month. The Nassau County executive responded after Hochul accused him of associating with white supremacists.
HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU NEED TO SEE & HEAR FROM THEM?!! HOW DARE YOU AS BLACK PEOPLE VOTE FOR THIS VILE WICKED CURSE OF A WOMAN? HOW DARE YOU AS CHRISTIANS?! SHE STAYS SILENT ON HARM BEING CAUSED TO THE INNOCENT & THIS IS WHAT SHE THINKS OF YOUR CHILDREN! Vote BLAKEMAN! @NassauExec
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 28, 2026
“I never went around with white supremacists; I’m offended by that. Let’s talk about your record,” Blakeman said. “What did you see about black kids in the Bronx? You know what? That was reprehensible.”
Nicki Minaj's support for Trump and Republicans
Minaj has increasingly voiced support for Trump and Republican candidates after previously saying in 2020 that she would not “jump on the Donald Trump bandwagon.”
In recent months, she has appeared alongside administration officials and publicly backed the president.
At a Trump campaign rally in Michigan on October 25, Minaj reiterated her support for the president. She had also encouraged young voters to support Republicans in the midterm elections during a September appearance on 'My View with Lara Trump.'
Minaj’s intervention has added another public figure to the campaign debate, as Hochul and Blakeman continue to make their case to New York voters in the final days before the election.
