‘Saturday Night Live’ Lampoons Nicki Minaj Following Donald Trump Campaign Appearance and White House Press Secretary Talk
NBC's 'Saturday Night Live' targeted Nicki Minaj during its Halloween broadcast following her public alignment with Donald Trump. The cold open spoofed the rapper's recent appearance on Air Force One, her speech at a Michigan campaign rally, and chatter surrounding a hypothetical White House position.
Long-running comedy series 'Saturday Night Live' took aim at hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj during its Halloween broadcast, parodying her recent public political alignment with Donald Trump.
According to reporting by MadameNoire, the late-night sketch opened with a Halloween-themed haunted attraction featuring cast member Kenan Thompson as a tour guide, with actor Tom Hanks reprising his recurring David S. Pumpkins character alongside Mikey Day and Bobby Moynihan. The scene was soon interrupted by James Austin Johnson portraying Trump, who pivoted the sketch toward political campaign messaging.
The parody culminated with cast member Saidah Belo-Osagie appearing as Minaj, mocking the unexpected alliance between the chart-topping artist and the former president. During the segment, Belo-Osagie’s character delivered a punchline regarding the professional fallout of the endorsement, joking that Trump was out killing her career, MadameNoire reported.
The television parody followed Minaj's real-life appearance alongside Trump on October 25 at a campaign rally held at McMorran Place Sports & Entertainment Center in Port Huron, Michigan. During that trip, the rapper traveled aboard Air Force One and publicly endorsed Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James ahead of the November midterm elections, according to MadameNoire's coverage. Trump also invited Minaj to address the Michigan audience directly and made public remarks about her appearance.
The sketch also referenced circulating discussions about Minaj potentially serving in a communications role for Trump. MadameNoire noted that an administration staffer reportedly raised the prospect of Minaj serving as White House press secretary during the Air Force One flight. When asked about the suggestion during an interview on 'The Benny Show,' Trump described the prospect as a good idea and said he would consider it, MadameNoire reported.
Minaj had previously stated that she was not going anywhere after Trump publicly described her as his favorite, according to the outlet. Kulture Newz has not independently confirmed any formal discussions regarding a federal appointment, and Minaj has not publicly issued a response to the comedy sketch.
Minaj stands as one of the commercial giants of modern hip-hop. MadameNoire reported that in 2018, Minaj became the first woman to earn 100 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. She also holds the record for the most Hot 100 top 10 singles among female rappers, and in 2020 achieved a number-one hit with Doja Cat on the remix of 'Say So.'
The episode was hosted by actress Inde Navarrette, with singer Gracie Abrams performing as the musical guest.