New York Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed surprise Wednesday upon learning from reporters that rapper Nicki Minaj had labeled her an "evil woman" on social media and called for her resignation. Hochul, a Democrat, responded by suggesting Minaj spend less time online and at "Trump rallies."
Minaj, a prominent supporter of former President Donald Trump, posted on X Wednesday afternoon, "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." The rapper added, "She did not denounce evil when she had the chance."
Minaj has become an outspoken supporter of Trump in recent years. She appeared with him at a rally in Michigan on Sunday and has been suggested by communications director Steven Cheung as a potential candidate for White House press secretary.
Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj in Trinidad and Tobago, has not always been a supporter of Trump. In 2018, she stated she was an "illegal immigrant" when she moved to New York as a child. In a 2020 interview, she indicated that Trump's policy of separating children from their guardians at the border did not encourage her to "jump on the Donald Trump bandwagon."
Recently, Minaj urged Fox News viewers to "vote red" in the midterms. She has also endorsed Hochul's opponent, Bruce Blakeman, a Republican who wrote on X Wednesday, "Nicki, I’ve got the U-Haul ready. It’s time to fire the worst governor in America."
Minaj also shared a clip on X of Hochul stating in 2024 that there are "Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is." Hochul has since apologized for and attempted to clarify that remark.
According to a Siena University poll released Wednesday, Hochul leads Blakeman by 14 points among likely New York state voters. The poll also indicated that 68% of voters believe Hochul will win the election, including 40% of polled Republicans.