This week in politics, the U.S. seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, the Trump administration launched applications for a million-dollar expedited visa, and the Supreme Court held oral arguments about campaign finance restrictions that are likely to play into Vice President JD Vance‘s eventual presidential ambitions. Meanwhile, as the White House continues to antagonize pop stars, Vance is on X declaring his stake in the Nicki Minaj versus Cardi B rap feud, which has been largely dormant since October.
“Nicki>Cardi,” Vance, who is 41 years old, wrote in a quote reply to a since-deleted post from Minaj that read, “Vance > Rants.” Both posts followed and utilized the same format as the rapper’s recent post that read, “Trumps > Chumps.” Minaj has also boosted posts featuring Donald Trump with Elon Musk, as well as a video highlighting Trump’s accomplishments since beginning his second term, which included plainly xenophobic and transphobic actions. Additionally, Minaj’s recent appearance at the United Nations Headquarters was reportedly facilitated by Trump‘s adviser, Alex Bruesewitz.
In February 2020, Minaj said that while she wouldn’t “jump on the Donald Trump bandwagon,” she did take issue with “children being taken away from their parents when they came into this country.” At the time, she explained that she knows what it’s like to be an “immigrant children coming to America to flee poverty,” adding, “I couldn’t imagine a little child going through all of that, trying to get to another country because they didn’t have money in their country, or whether you’re fleeing from war … and then being taken away from the one person that makes you feel comfort.”
In his second term, Trump’s administration has increased deportations tenfold, with multiple deaths occurring in immigration facilities. It was also reported on at least two occasions that U.S. citizen children with cancer diagnoses were deported with their mothers this spring. Over the summer, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity increased significantly — as did social media output from the White House and Department of Homeland Security that hopped on popular music trends.
Last month, the White House shared a TikTok featuring Donald and Melania Trump set to the viral mashup of Minaj’s hit single “Beez in the Trap” and 4 Non Blondes’ “What’s Up?” “This is pretty incredible,” she wrote in the comments section. Over on X, she elaborated, “The President & First Lady of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Barbz, idk which one of you uploaded this to the white house TikTok but just know unlimited backstage Gag City for life.”
Minaj went on to acknowledge how unserious this all is. “Idk what timeline we’re on right now,” she wrote on X. “I’m just goin w/ the flow.”
A number of other artists whose trending songs have been used by the White House have pushed back. “White House rage baiting artists for free promo is PEAK DARK ..inhumanity +shock and aw tactics ..Evil n Boring,” SZA wrote on X just a few hours before Vance shared his Nicki v. Cardi post.
Earlier this month, Sabrina Carpenter slammed the White House for using her song “Juno” in a social media video featuring ICE agents carrying out arrests. “This video is evil and disgusting,” she wrote on X. “Do not ever involve me or my music to benefit your inhumane agenda.” The White House’s post was later deleted.
In November, Olivia Rodrigo found herself in a similar position when the White House and DHS used “All-American Bitch” to urge undocumented Americans to self-deport. “Don’t ever use my songs to promote your racist, hateful propaganda,” she said. The comment was later deleted, though it remains unclear if was removed by Rodrigo or the DHS.
Jess Glynne also spoke out when the White House attempted to jump on the “Nothing Beats a Jet2 Holiday” trend and effectively killed it in the process. “This post honestly makes me sick,” she said in July. “My music is about love, unity, and spreading positivity, never about division or hate.”
