Left-wing podcaster and former MSNBC host Joy Reid drew renewed criticism after accusing Republicans of using rap star Nicki Minaj as a “house pet” to provide what she described as “cultural cool” and to put “blackface” on the MAGA movement, as reported [1] by Breitbart.
Reid made the remarks during a recent appearance on The Don Lemon Show, where she launched into an extended critique of Minaj, who has publicly supported Donald Trump and his administration on several issues.
“There’s a reason that the other side is giddy about having Nicki Minaj,” Reid said at the beginning of her comments, before claiming the “Starships” singer is a rapper Republicans “despise” and “don’t respect.”
Reid escalated her rhetoric moments later. “The reason they want her on a leash as their house pet, cuddled at Donald Trump’s feet, the reason she is the new house pet is because they need black people to give them cultural cool,” she said.
“Black cultural cool has always been a powerful, powerful element in the country,” Reid continued, while naming other black conservatives she claimed have either “gone off the field” or are “not popular enough.” During the segment, a white co-host could be heard chuckling in the background as Reid spoke.
The comments quickly turned into a broader personal attack on Minaj. Reid referred to the rapper as “the Trinidadian who doesn’t care about the killing of Trinidadian fishermen,” and accused her of being someone “who hates on women who are more popular than her.”
Reid then referenced fellow rapper Cardi B, claiming she is “better at cultural marketing.”
Continuing her criticism, Reid said, “She’ll never be Rihanna. She’ll never have a brand like Rihanna. She’ll never be Beyoncé.”
“She’s a 40-something-year old black female rapper who clearly don’t care that much about black people or immigrants, even though she was an undocumented immigrant,” Reid added.
Reid argued that Minaj’s perceived political usefulness was rooted solely in image. “They wouldn’t want her if they didn’t need cultural cool. Their problem is she ain’t cultural cool no more,” she said.
The podcaster also mocked Minaj’s fan base, known as “the Barbz,” before parodying lyrics from Minaj’s 2012 song “Beez in the Trap.”
“So, the Barbs, you know… Nicki ain’t shit, and she ain’t saying nothing, and a 100 little Barbz can’t tell me nothing,” Reid said.
“She not gonna work, but they’re going to keep looking for somebody black to be the face to put blackface on MAGA,” Reid continued. “They know that cultural cool matters. That’s why they’re doing it.”
Minaj, who has spoken publicly in support of President Trump and his administration, including on issues involving the persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria, has faced repeated attacks from left-wing public figures for expressing views outside traditional Democratic politics.
Despite the criticism, Minaj’s supporters appear unmoved. In recent weeks, fans have taken to social media to announce they are switching their party affiliation to Republican, citing frustration with what they describe as political and cultural gatekeeping from the left.