During a live broadcast on Fox News on January 28, Laura Ingraham had to correct herself when she mixed up rappers Nicki Minaj and Cardi B while discussing Minaj’s recent participation in a Trump administration event in Washington, D.C.
Ingraham, the 62-year-old presenter of The Ingraham Angle, was conducting an interview with Sen. Bernie Moreno from Ohio about the Trump Accounts initiative when she erroneously claimed the 2020 explicit song “WAP” was performed by Minaj. In fact, the song is by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
The 43-year-old Minaj had earlier that day attended a Treasury Department event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to endorse Trump Accounts, a scheme created to assist parents in saving funds for their newborns. At the event, the Trinidadian rapper declared her fervent support for the president. Minaj stated at the event featuring Trump, “I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change.”
Ingraham was discussing Minaj’s surprising alliance with the president during her interview with Moreno when she made the error. As Ingraham critiqued her music, Minaj was labeled as “MAGA Minaj” by the show’s chyron.
Ingraham, a conservative herself, expressed her disgust at some of Minaj’s song lyrics over the years before mistakenly associating “WAP” with the rapper. A correction came swiftly from a producer named Sam through Ingraham’s earpiece, leading to an awkward pause on air.
After the mistake was pointed out, Ingraham thanked producer Sam as Moreno chuckled. The Fox News host later apologized for the confusion, expressing disbelief that she had inadvertently compared Minaj to Cardi B.
Ingraham, who revealed her preference for country music, then apologized once more for the mix-up.
The song “WAP”, an acronym for “Wet Ass P****”, was released in 2020 by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion. The explicit song sparked controversy due to its sexually explicit lyrics, often drawing criticism from conservative commentators.
The error quickly spread on social media, with critics accusing Ingraham of conflating Black female entertainers. The incident was commented on by CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers, among others.
Despite the awkward correction, Ingraham continued her interview with Moreno, inquiring about the importance of Minaj’s endorsement of Trump. Moreno claimed it was significant because it challenged stereotypes about Trump supporters.
During the event, Minaj was given a Trump Gold Card, priced at one million dollars with a $15,000 processing fee. Minaj, however, stated that she received the card free of charge. Trump mentioned that Minaj was investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Trump Accounts program.
The card was described as “just a memento,” not a legal visa document. Minaj, who has been a legal permanent resident for approximately 20 years, has had her immigration status discussed due to her outspoken support for Trump’s policies. The Trinidad-born rapper admitted she immigrated illegally to America at the age of five, and now possesses a green card, granting her permanent resident status.
The Trump Gold Card program has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters see it as an innovative method to generate government revenue while critics question its implications.
Minaj’s endorsement of Trump and conservative values marks a significant change in her public image. Her appearance at the event is among the most high-profile celebrity endorsements Trump has received. Celebrity political endorsements have always been a part of American politics, although their influence over fans continues to be controversial.
Minaj’s support for Trump has received significant backlash from her fans and civil rights groups. Despite the opposition, she has held firm in her endorsement, using her platform to defend the president against what she perceives as unjust attacks and smear campaigns. She directly addressed criticism of her conservative stance, expressing that she was unaffected by the negative comments. “It actually motivates me to support him more,” Minaj said.
The incident on The Ingraham Angle underscores the difficulties media personalities can face when venturing outside their areas of expertise. Ingraham’s disclosure of her preference for country music over hip-hop could explain her unfamiliarity with the distinct careers of different rap artists. However, the error also amplified longstanding criticism that some media figures struggle to differentiate between Black entertainers.
The broadcast quickly became a hot topic on social media platforms, and clips of the correction were widely shared on X and other networks. The rapid spread of the clip underlines the speed at which on-air errors can proliferate in the digital age, where viewers can instantly share and comment on broadcast content.
For Minaj, the incident coincided with the day she made headlines for her Oval Office appearance and her enthusiastic endorsement of the president. Her transformation into “MAGA Minaj” is one of the more surprising celebrity political alignments in recent times.
The Trump Accounts initiative that brought Minaj to Washington aims to provide financial assistance to American families with newborns. The scheme is one of several family-focused policies promoted by the Trump administration. Supporters argue that such programs help families build wealth from an early age, while critics question the long-term fiscal sustainability of these programs and the appropriateness of wealthy individuals like Minaj being the face of initiatives intended to assist everyday Americans.
