Nicki Minaj found herself in an uncomfortable situation during a live discussion at Turning Point USA’s AmFest on Sunday.
The singer, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, 43, accidentally used a highly inappropriate term while speaking to Erika Kirk, widow of the late Charlie Kirk.
The moment unfolded when Minaj was asked what advice she would give to young men.
Attempting to emphasize her political point, she referred to JD Vance as an “assassin” — a word that immediately caused her to cringe.
With her head in her hands, she realized the awkwardness of using such a term in front of someone whose spouse had been tragically assassinated just months earlier.
Erika Kirk Steps In With Understanding
Despite the slip-up, Erika Kirk quickly diffused the tension.
As some in the audience chuckled, she reassured Minaj, saying, “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 emphasized that words were less important than intentions, praising Minaj for her character.
“I love this woman. She’s an amazing woman. She has a soul and a heart for the Lord. Words are words, but I know her heart,” she said.
Minaj Praises Political Figures
Before the misstep, Minaj had expressed admiration for President Trump and the current administration.
“I have the utmost respect and admiration for our President,” she said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.
She added that the administration “is full of people with heart and soul and they make me proud,” highlighting her support for their work and leadership.
Kirk and Vance: A Political Spotlight
Erika Kirk, who became CEO of Turning Point USA following her husband’s assassination, also made a bold political statement during the event.
She openly endorsed JD Vance for president in 2018 and expressed her desire to see him become the 48th president in the future.
Her speech received rapturous applause from attendees, despite Vance not having announced any official campaign plans.
Infighting Among Conservatives at AmFest
While Minaj’s gaffe stole the spotlight briefly, the broader summit had its share of tension.
Notably, headliners Ben Shapiro and Tucker Carlson clashed on stage over conspiracy theories and the behavior of other conservative figures.
Shapiro criticized Carlson for hosting far-right commentator Nick Fuentes and called out several prominent conservatives, including Candace Owens, Megyn Kelly, and Steve Bannon, labeling them as “frauds” and “grifters.”
He warned that such figures endangered the conservative movement by spreading conspiracies and dishonest narratives.
Carlson Responds With Barbs
Carlson fired back, dismissing Shapiro’s remarks as overly serious and mocking the calls to deplatform.
He defended his hosting of Fuentes, stating, “Antisemitism is not just naughty, it’s immoral,” and criticized what he sees as the overreach of cancel culture.
He argued that questioning motives or asking difficult questions should be part of political discourse, not an occasion for public condemnation.
Carlson maintained that these debates were about politics, not religion, and suggested that the event’s tone this year contrasted sharply with last year’s optimism, when both he and Shapiro had hailed a “golden age” for the US.
A Summit Marked by Contrasts
Sunday’s Turning Point USA AmFest showcased a mix of moments: Minaj’s awkward gaffe, Erika Kirk’s graceful handling of the situation, political endorsements, and heated debates among conservative figures.
From laughter in the crowd to pointed criticisms on stage, the event highlighted both the passion and tensions within today’s political and celebrity-driven discourse.
