Nicki Minaj has poured praise on Elon Musk, thanking the divisive billionaire for “everything you’re doing for humanity” during an ultimately axed SpaceX rocket launch.
In a move many have taken as a bid to strengthen her ties to MAGA, the rapper appeared at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Boca Chica Beach ahead of the company’s planned Starship V3 launch on Thursday (May 21).
Ahead of the countdown, SpaceX took to X to post “Starships are meant to fly” – a nod to her 2012 ‘Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded’ hit – and shared a video interview with Minaj in which she encouraged her fans to tune in to the launch.
Minaj praised Musk during the event, saying: “Major shout out to Elon. Thank you for everything you’re doing for humanity”, and describing the launch as both “historic” and “amazing”.
The launch was set for Thursday evening, but repeated countdown holds forced SpaceX to cancel the attempt after teams failed to resolve technical issues in time, per Forbes.
Nicki Minaj visits Elon Musk’s Starbase facility. pic.twitter.com/lvYI7JvstG
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 22, 2026
Following Friday’s (May 22) eventual successful launch, Minaj took to X once again, writing: “Lets’s Go @SpaceX!!! You guys are pretty freaking amazing. Wow. Congratulations on the successful launch — and to many, MANY more.”
Her support of Musk comes amid her increasingly aligning herself with conservative figures, which earlier this year, prompted Trevor Noah to hit out at her support of Donald Trump.
The comedian hosted the Grammys back in February, and during his monologue, quipped: “Nicki Minaj is not here. She’s still at the White House with Donald Trump, discussing very important issues.”
He then proceeded to do a Trump impression, saying: “Actually Nicki, I have the biggest ass! Everybody’s saying it. I know they say it’s you, but it’s me. WAP, WAP, WAP. Look at it, baby.”
Minaj has provoked controversy over her political views over the past year, and drew backlash after criticising journalist Don Lemon‘s coverage of an ICE protest that disrupted a Minnesota church service.
“DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING,” she wrote on X accompanied by an image of Chucky from Child’s Play. “HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!”
Lemon, who is openly gay, criticised the remarks, telling TMZ: “I’m not surprised Nicki Minaj does not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity,” further suggesting a “more appropriate image for her post is a ‘Pick Me’ Doll.”
In a separate interview, he said the rapper was a “homophobic, bigoted ignorant woman” who needs to “sit the fuck down” and “grow some brains”.
Back in December, Minaj was the surprise guest at a Turning Point USA event, where she spoke with Erika Kirk – the widow of murdered political commentator Charlie Kirk. There, she declared “respect and admiration” for the “handsome, dashing” Trump and continued criticisms of California Governor Gavin Newsom.
She subsequently deactivated her Instagram account amid the backlash to her appearance, and has faced multiple petitions to deport her from the US, having moved to the country from Trinidad when she was five.
She has since weighed in on UK politics, joining Azealia Banks in backing Kemi Badenoch.
Writing on X last week (May 13), Minaj responded to a clip of Badenoch mocking Wes Streeting’s leadership ambitions, writing: “The UK is truly one of a kind. They will portray her in film & TV one day…just like they did with Margaret Thatcher.”
Badenoch later responded to the praise, “It was very flattering to hear Nicki Minaj compare me to Margaret Thatcher, who is a heroine of mine, and in fact a heroine to all Conservatives.
“I do like her song ‘Starships’, I’ve been dancing to it for a long time, as do my children.”