President Donald Trump used a White House Black History Month reception on February 18, 2026, to highlight rapper Nicki Minaj, turning part of the East Room program into a brief pop culture moment. During his remarks, he praised Minaj and singled out her long nails while noting that she had been in Washington recently.
That reference pointed back to January 28, when Minaj appeared alongside Trump at an event connected to the administration’s Trump Accounts initiative. At that appearance, she publicly expressed strong support for him, drawing attention online and in political circles.
Trump also mentioned other high-profile supporters, including boxer Mike Tyson, as he moved through a wider set of shout-outs during the reception. The event itself was part of the White House’s annual Black History Month observances, featuring guests and officials while the president framed the celebration as a recognition of Black Americans’ contributions to the country.
