Trump makes crude comment about Nicki Minaj at Michigan rally, then tries to walk it back
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At a campaign stop in Michigan, President Donald Trump made a vulgar remark about pop star Nicki Minaj before offering a halfhearted apology, while also using the rally to attack Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed with Islamophobic rhetoric.
President Donald Trump arrived in Port Huron, Michigan, for a campaign rally ahead of the November midterm elections, accompanied by pop star Nicki Minaj, who has described herself as his "number one fan." Minaj, dressed in a gold-colored Gucci suit, led chants for Trump and Republican candidates.
During his speech, Trump made a crude reference to Minaj, saying, "By the way, I looked at a beautiful ass before: Nicki Minaj. That's hard to miss," after discussing earlier remarks about Ohio Senator Jon Husted. He later asked Minaj to stand, and the crowd cheered.
"I hope Nicki wasn't insulted, but we love Nicki. She's been with us for a long time," Trump added, offering an apology that did little to erase the offensive remark.
The rally also featured Trump’s attack on Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed, with Trump fixating on the candidate’s Muslim faith and falsely suggesting he would "invite jihadists" and need a metal detector to enter the Senate. El-Sayed responded in a campaign ad, accusing Trump of using his name and faith to distract voters from economic concerns.
Minaj traveled to Michigan on Air Force One and posted a video filmed on the plane in which she pretended to interview a White House press secretary aide. The White House press secretary position remains vacant after the departure of Katie Zacharia.
The event occurred as the Senate race in Michigan tightens between El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, with former President Barack Obama having campaigned for the Democrat earlier in the week.