October 27, 2026, 3:20 p.m. ET
California Gov. Gavin Newsom is speaking out about a rumor started at the White House that his Los Angeles constituent, rapper Nicki Minaj, could be the next White House press secretary, resurfacing a series of public fights between Minaj and the Democratic governor.
“We can only pray,” Newsom’s press office posted on Oct. 25 in response to a TMZ report that Minaj had been nominated by White House staff for the role.
The post comes on the heels of Minaj, who dubbed herself President Donald Trump’s “#1 fan,” traveling aboard Air Force One and campaigning with the president in Michigan.
Trump notably shouted out Minaj for having “a damn fine ass” as she addressed the audience on stage, even leading a “We Love Trump” chant. The rapper previously appeared with Trump in January at the Trump Account Summit, writing on X that she was “paying it forward” by investing in the president’s financial plan for America’s youth.
Newsom’s office also issued a response to Trump’s comments about Minaj’s butt, writing “An unlikely match. Again, it all depends.”
In December 2025, Minaj appeared at a Turning Point USA event with Erika Kirk, where she read previous X-rated posts criticizing Newsom, even calling him “Gavvy Pooh” and Trump’s nickname for the governor: “Newscum.” The rapper has already written a series of articles on the Californian politician.
After Katie Zacharia’s five-day stint as press secretary in October and Karoline Leavitt’s departure in August to spend time with her family, Minaj’s name emerged as a potential candidate for the role. White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a video of Minaj on Air Force One, writing “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House press secretary!”
Other contenders for the press secretary position include CNN senior political contributor Scott Jennings, White House communications aide Danielle Alvarez and former Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo.
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