Hip-hop artist Nicki Minaj created an uncomfortable moment at Turning Point USA’s AmFest on Sunday when she inadvertently used the word “assassin” while speaking with Erika Kirk, whose husband was killed in September.
The 43-year-old performer, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, placed her head in her hands after the verbal misstep occurred during her conversation with the widow of the late Charlie Kirk at the Phoenix event.
The incident unfolded when Kirk asked Minaj to share a message with young men in attendance.
Minaj began by criticizing Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), referring to him as “New-scum.”
“Young men, you have amazing role models like our handsome dashing president,” Minaj stated.
“And you have amazing role models like the assassin JD Vance, our vice president,” she continued.
The rapper immediately appeared to recognize her error in using the term in front of Kirk.
Some audience members responded with laughter as Minaj paused awkwardly.
Kirk quickly defused the situation by stepping in to reassure the performer.
“Trust me, there is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard. So you’re fine… You let it roll right off your back,” Kirk told Minaj.
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The exchange occurred after Minaj delivered praise for President Trump during her appearance.
The crowd responded enthusiastically when she declared her respect and admiration for the nation’s leader.
“I don’t know if he even knows this, but he has given so many people hope… This administration is full of people with heart and soul and they make me proud,” Minaj stated.
Kirk acknowledged that the moment would likely gain traction online but said she remained unconcerned.
“I love this woman. She’s an amazing woman. She has a soul and a heart for the Lord. And words are words, but I know her heart and it doesn’t even matter. And you say what you wanna say because I know your heart,” Kirk added.
The verbal stumble was not the only gaffe at the summit.
Erika Kirk herself experienced a similar mishap while presenting an award in her late husband’s name.
While handing the Charlie Kirk Courage Award to Utah Valley University student Caleb Chilcutt, Kirk accidentally referred to him as a “grifter” before quickly correcting herself.
“Despite the devastating loss of Charlie Kirk, my incredible husband, Caleb has persisted with the same grift, gift, grit… it has been a long day,” she said, adding, “Trust me you’re not a grifter, honey. It’s all good.”
Minaj attended the event to show support for Turning Point USA.
Kirk had opened the summit days earlier by endorsing Vice President JD Vance for a 2028 presidential run.
“We are going to get my husband’s friend, JD Vance, elected for 48 in the most resounding way possible,” Kirk announced, referencing Vance potentially becoming the 48th president following Trump’s term.
The endorsement received enthusiastic applause from attendees, despite Vance not having announced any presidential campaign plans.
Kirk’s comments came amid significant tension between prominent conservative voices at the gathering.
Commentators Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson engaged in public disagreements during their respective speeches.
Shapiro criticized Carlson for hosting controversial commentator Nick Fuentes on his program in October.
Shapiro also labeled several conservative figures as “frauds” and “grifters,” including Carlson, Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly and Steve Bannon.
Several of these individuals were scheduled speakers at the event.
“The conservative movement is in serious danger,” Shapiro warned, attributing the threat to conservative “charlatans who claim to speak in the name of principle but actually traffic in conspiracism and dishonesty.”
