Nicki Minaj has sparked fresh political controversy online after posting what appeared to be an official-looking “Trump Gold Card” and describing it as a “life-changing” $1 million document that she said had been provided to her “completely free of charge.”
The rapper, one of the world’s most commercially successful artists, shared images of a gold-coloured card on social media and wrote: “Welp. Guess I’m on the board of peace.” In a separate post, she appeared to respond to questions about the purpose of the document, writing: “Residency? Residency? The cope is coping.”
The posts were quickly circulated across platforms, with thousands of users debating whether the card was genuine, what it might confer, and what Minaj’s remarks signalled about her political views. The reaction reflects the way celebrity statements, particularly those touching on US politics and immigration, can become flashpoints online, even when few verified details are immediately available.
The Trump Gold Card, according to an official US government website describing the programme, is presented as a fast-track route to lawful permanent resident status for qualifying foreign nationals, contingent on payment of a “$15,000 DHS processing fee” and, following background approval, a “contribution of $1 million.” The same website describes the card as “a visa based upon an individual’s ability to provide a substantial benefit to the United States,” and says successful applicants receive lawful permanent resident status “as an EB-1 or EB-2 visa holder,” subject to eligibility and visa availability.
The government site also sets out that applicants submit an online application and an initial, non-refundable processing fee, after which US Citizenship and Immigration Services conducts background checks. It states that, “upon successful vetting,” an applicant is asked to submit the “gift” to the United States to demonstrate their ability to provide a substantial benefit, and that the process “should take weeks” once the processing fee and application are received, though applicants must also attend a visa interview and provide additional documents where required.
Against that framework, Minaj’s claim that she received the card “completely free of charge” drew particular attention, as did her apparent dismissal of questions about residency. Some social media users suggested her comments were proof of political alignment with Donald Trump, while others argued she was trolling, joking, or simply posting an image without implying she had entered any immigration programme. No independent documentation was provided with her posts to confirm how she obtained the card or whether it was connected to any formal government process.
The LADbible report that circulated alongside the posts framed Minaj’s social media activity as part of a larger discussion about a “gold card” concept associated with Trump, and said she had labelled him “the best president of all time.”
The same report also referenced a separate moment involving Trump and Minaj, in which the former president was described as praising her appearance and nails and speaking about her fame and public attention. According to the report, Trump said: “I’ve been hearing about her. I’ve been watching her and her fame. She’s got great fame. That’s why I asked you whether you knew her. I said, I’ve been watching. I’ve been seeing what’s going on with this.” The report quoted him continuing: “She’s a great artist. She’s got a lot of talent. She’s got a lot of everything.” It also quoted Trump commenting: “I love those nails. I keep looking at them. They’re driving me crazy.”
The post’s wording and presentation also prompted confusion around what, precisely, Minaj was claiming. While the official government site describes a formal application pathway and explicitly sets out a processing fee and a $1 million contribution, her caption suggested she had been handed a flashy card without cost, framed in celebratory terms and followed by a remark about being “on the board of peace.”
In the absence of any official confirmation tied to Minaj’s specific case, much of the immediate public response centred on interpretation. Some users questioned whether the imagery could be unofficial merchandise, a prop, or a novelty item, particularly given the social media environment in which political branding and collectible items are frequently shared. Others focused on the underlying policy implications of an immigration programme that describes residency being granted in “record time” based on a large contribution, contrasting it with traditional immigration routes that involve lengthy waits, family sponsorship, employment-based processes, or humanitarian claims.
Minaj has, in recent years, repeatedly found herself at the centre of highly public online debates, sometimes related to politics and public policy. Her social media presence, which reaches tens of millions of followers, has long been a major component of her public persona, allowing her to communicate directly with fans and critics alike, often in real time and without the filters of traditional media. That approach has brought both intense loyalty from supporters and sustained scrutiny from opponents, particularly when she weighs in on politically charged issues.
The episode also highlights the extent to which celebrity commentary can intersect with the mechanics of government policy and official communication. The Trump Gold Card website is explicit about the required payments and the vetting process, presenting the scheme as a programme administered through the Department of Homeland Security with involvement by immigration authorities. It describes the “$1 million gift” as evidence of substantial benefit to the United States, and states that applicants, like other permanent residents, would be subject to US tax including on non-US income.
For now, the key elements that are publicly verifiable are limited: Minaj posted images of a “Trump Gold Card,” described it as “life-changing,” suggested it was provided to her at no cost, and responded to questions about residency with a blunt, mocking rejoinder. The official government website describes the Trump Gold Card as a pathway to permanent residency contingent on a processing fee and a $1 million contribution, with background checks and further immigration processing.
What remains unverified is whether Minaj’s card was issued through that programme, how she obtained it, and what she meant by describing herself as being “on the board of peace.” Until there is additional documentation or an on-the-record explanation, the incident is likely to continue playing out primarily as an online political spectacle, driven by speculation, partisan interpretation, and the amplifying effect of celebrity social media.