Nicki Minaj is being floated as White House press secretary after Katie Zacharia’s record-short tenure.
White House Communications Director Steven Cheung, 40, sparked the speculation on Tuesday by sharing a video of the rapper aboard Air Force One with the caption, “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!” The official White House X account replied with an ‘eyeballs’ emoji, and Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz piled on, writing, “Hey Barbz, what do we think about this idea??”
Minaj, 42, responded to Cheung’s post with a grinning nervous laughter face and an American flag.
The rapper had joined President Donald Trump, 79, on Sunday evening at a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, where she posted videos showing her impressed reaction to the aircraft’s luxurious interior and views. She appeared alongside the president during his roughly two-hour speech to supporters.
Trump singled her out from the stage with a comment about her body. “Beautiful rear,” he told the crowd. He then doubled down, calling out, “That’s hard to miss! Stand up! That’s hard to miss!” Minaj stood up, giving a thumbs up as the audience cheered.
The press secretary speculation follows the firing of Katie Zacharia just five days into the job, making her the shortest-serving White House press secretary among the 37 people to hold the position. Zacharia had been appointed earlier this month but was dismissed after what was widely regarded as a disastrous first press conference.
Her predecessor, Karoline Leavitt, 28, praised Zacharia’s courage during an appearance on HBO’s “Real Time With Bill Maher.” Leavitt, who made history as the youngest press secretary at age 27 during Trump’s second term, told Maher that Zacharia had accepted “a very tough job,” which some call “one of the hardest jobs in Washington.”
Leavitt pointed to Trump’s background on “The Apprentice,” noting he had built a reputation for “moving on from people and firing them on national TV.” She served from January 2025 to August 2026 before announcing her departure to spend more time with her two children.
Trump had previously called Leavitt “one of the best White House Press Secretaries in the History of the Office.” Despite being viewed as controversial, particularly among Democrats, she was acknowledged as a competent official and excellent communicator.
The White House has not clarified whether it is officially considering Minaj for the role. The rapper’s political alignment with Trump has become increasingly visible, with her Air Force One appearance marking her latest show of support.
Zacharia’s rapid dismissal left the position vacant and opened the door to unconventional replacement speculation. The president’s public comments about Minaj during the Michigan rally added fuel to the online conversation that Cheung’s post then amplified.
Leavitt’s surprise exit in August 2026 had already broken precedent, and Zacharia’s five-day tenure shattered another record. The press secretary role has become a high-turnover position during Trump’s second term, with each departure generating fresh speculation about who might next face the podium.
Minaj has not indicated whether she would accept such a position if formally offered. Her response to Cheung’s suggestion remained limited to emoji, leaving her actual interest unspoken.
Trump is scheduled to appear at a rally in Green Bay, Wisconsin.