Trinidad-born rapper Nicki Minaj on Wednesday declared herself a strong supporter of US President Donald Trump and showcased her Trump “gold card” visa, which provides residency and a path to citizenship.

Speaking on stage in Washington DC at the Trump Accounts Summit, Minaj said, “I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that will not change.” She added that criticism from others motivates her to support him even more. The singer held hands with Trump during the event and emphasized she would not allow his opponents to bully him.

Minaj shared images of the gold card on social media, calling it “free of charge” and saying she was finalizing her citizenship paperwork under Trump’s administration. The card, launched in December, allows wealthy immigrants to gain US residency in exchange for a $1 million fee and a $15,000 processing charge.

The rapper, who moved to the US as a child, had previously criticised the government’s family-separation policies and highlighted her own experience as a child immigrant. She said the card grants residency rights but not full US citizenship.

Minaj’s support has faced criticism online, with other US musicians voicing opposition to Trump’s immigration policies. Bruce Springsteen released a protest song “Streets of Minneapolis” in response to recent ICE-related shootings, while artists such as Billie Eilish, Olivia Rodrigo, Ariana Grande, and Ice-T condemned ICE actions on social media.

Minaj’s public backing of Trump and the gold card program highlights a growing divide among US celebrities over immigration policies and the Trump administration’s approach to enforcement.

With inputs from BBC