Nicki Minaj For White House Press Secretary? Trump Aide’s Post Sparks Speculation

Nicki Minaj has become the subject of speculation about becoming the next White House press secretary after US President Donald Trump’s communications director, Steven Cheung, jokingly suggested she could take the position. However, the White House has not confirmed any appointment.

The buzz erupted on Sunday, October 25, when Minaj travelled aboard Air Force One and appeared alongside Trump at a campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections. During the flight, she praised Trump’s economic policies, describing him as a businessman who understood economics and had worked hard to succeed.

Cheung subsequently shared a video of their conversation on X, writing, “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” The White House’s official account responded with an eye emoji, while Minaj reacted with an American flag and a grinning face emoji. These exchanges fuelled speculation, but no official announcement has been made.

The discussion follows Katie Zacharia’s departure after just five days as press secretary. She assumed the position on October 12, replacing Karoline Leavitt, who had left in August. Zacharia faced criticism after her first briefing on October 13 lasted approximately 14 minutes and involved questions from just three reporters. Her professional credentials also came under scrutiny after she acknowledged failing the California bar examination and not being licensed to practise law in any US state. She left the position on October 16 following the controversy.

Minaj’s US citizenship status has also attracted attention. Born in Trinidad and Tobago, she moved to the United States as a child. In 2018, she criticised the Trump administration’s immigration policies, recalling her experience of arriving in America without legal authorisation and expressing concern about children separated from their parents. However, her political stance shifted, and she became an outspoken Trump supporter in 2025. In January 2026, she said she was finalising her US citizenship paperwork. Her current citizenship status has not been conclusively established by the reporting reviewed.

The White House press secretary communicates the president’s agenda, conducts briefings and answers journalists’ questions on domestic and international issues. The role requires strong communication skills, policy knowledge and the ability to handle difficult questioning.