Trump praises Nicki Minaj at White House Rose Garden lunch

President Donald Trump praised rapper Nicki Minaj as "so respected and so hot" during a White House luncheon on Monday, July 6, highlighting her as a prominent celebrity supporter. The event, a Rose Garden Club luncheon in Washington, D.C., was held to celebrate the launch of the Trump Accounts investment program.

During his speech, Trump called Minaj a "fantastic person" and a "great friend of common sense," explicitly stating he did not characterize her as conservative. He asked the rapper to stand for recognition, prompting applause from attendees. Later, while discussing the Small Business Administration, Trump again referenced Minaj, calling her "incredible" and noting her business success.

Following the luncheon, Minaj, who wore a pink dress, documented her visit on social media using the hashtag #WhiteHouseBarbie. Her posts included a video from the garden event, a photo posing next to a portrait of Trump in the White House, and a picture of herself with the president at his desk in the Oval Office. She captioned the Oval Office photo, "WhiteHouseBarbie with her favorite President of all time."

The public alliance between Trump and Minaj has developed over the past two...