Nicki Minaj Backs Trump-Endorsed Byron Donalds in Florida Governor Race

Nicki Minaj has once again made her political views clear, publicly backing Republican Congressman Byron Donalds in Florida’s upcoming governor’s race.

The rapper, 43, voiced her support for Donalds on Saturday, August 15, after the Florida congressman posted a video urging voters to participate in the Republican primary. Donalds said only three days remained before Election Day and encouraged supporters to take advantage of the final weekend of early voting.

“You have my vote. Barbz please support him however you can. #TheGoodGuys,” Minaj wrote while quote-tweeting Donalds’ video.

Donalds thanked the rapper the following day, sharing an article about her endorsement and writing, “The Barbz know a winner when they see one. Thank you, @NICKIMINAJ.”

Minaj’s endorsement adds to her increasingly public support for President Donald Trump and other figures aligned with his political movement. Her support for Trump first drew significant attention in November 2025, when she thanked the president for a post threatening military action over alleged killings of Christians in Nigeria.

Since then, Minaj has appeared at several Trump-aligned events and has described herself as Trump’s “number one fan.” Her political stance has also led critics to call her a “MAGA Barbie,” a reference to her well-known “Barbie” nickname.

Although Minaj said Donalds has her vote, she is not currently known to be a Florida resident. She was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to Queens, New York, when she was five years old. She has previously said that she could not vote because she was not a U.S. citizen.

In January, however, Minaj said she was completing paperwork to obtain American citizenship. It remains unclear whether that process has been completed.

Donalds, 47, has represented Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the U.S. House since 2021. Before entering Congress, he served in the Florida House of Representatives after winning election in 2016. He was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, and has three sons with his wife, Erika.

Donalds is considered a leading contender for the Republican nomination for governor. He is seeking to succeed Ron DeSantis, who cannot run for another term because of Florida’s term limits.

Trump has strongly backed Donalds’ gubernatorial campaign. In 2025, Trump said he would endorse Donalds if he entered the race, and he repeated his support in a Truth Social post on August 3.

“I know Byron well, have seen him tested at the highest and most difficult levels, and he is a TOTAL WINNER!” Trump wrote.

The Florida governor’s election will take place in November, following the Republican primary.