Rapper Nicki Minaj has thrown her support behind US President Donald Trump, praising his leadership during a rally in Michigan where she urged voters to back Republican candidates in the upcoming midterm elections.
According to the BBC, Minaj made the remarks on Sunday in Port Huron, Michigan, where she appeared alongside Trump as Republicans intensified their campaigns ahead of the elections.
Addressing the crowd, the rapper credited Trump with changing the country’s atmosphere and giving Americans renewed optimism about the future.
“We really need all these great people to be elected, because this is a major turning point for our country,” she said.
Dressed in a gold-coloured Gucci suit, Minaj led supporters in chants celebrating Trump and Republican candidates contesting elections in Michigan.
Trump later commended the rapper after her appearance, describing her as intelligent and saying she had never looked more beautiful.
Earlier in his address, the president had drawn attention to Minaj with a remark about her figure before inviting her to stand as the audience cheered.
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The rapper arrived in Michigan aboard Air Force One with Trump. During the flight, she also featured in a video with a presidential aide, jokingly acting as though she was interviewing for the position of White House press secretary.
Minaj has previously called herself Trump’s “number one fan”, although she has also criticised some of his policies during his first term.
She has publicly backed several of his positions, including his allegations of persecution against Christians in Nigeria and his proposed gold card visa programme, which targets wealthy applicants seeking US residency and a route to citizenship.
The rally took place amid a closely watched Senate contest in Michigan involving Democratic candidate Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, the BBC reported.
During his speech, Trump attacked El-Sayed’s Muslim faith and background, claiming the Democratic candidate would “invite jihadists” into the United States if elected.
El-Sayed has described similar remarks as Islamophobic, accusing Trump of using his name and religion to divert attention from the impact of government policies on the cost of living.
Former US President Barack Obama also campaigned alongside El-Sayed on Saturday as both parties stepped up efforts to secure voter support ahead of the November midterm elections.
The campaign activities reflect the wider struggle between Republicans and Democrats to gain control of Congress in the upcoming polls.