Charlie Kirk’s widow consoles Nicki Minaj after ‘assassin’ gaffe
By Maria Tsvetkova
Dec 21 (Reuters) – The widow of slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk turned a verbal error by rapper Nicki Minaj into a moment of consolation on Sunday after the artist made a reference to an “assassin” while praising conservative leaders.
Erika Kirk, whose husband was fatally shot in September, offered her support to Minaj after the rapper described Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin,” even as she called him a role model. Kirk and Minaj spoke together on stage at a festival organized by Turning Point USA, the conservative youth movement founded by Charlie Kirk.
“Dear young men, you have incredible role models like our handsome and dashing president, and you have incredible role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president,” Minaj said before lowering the microphone, looking down and covering her mouth with her palm in an embarrassed gesture.
Charlie Kirk was shot and killed at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, while debating with students.
After the assassin reference, Minaj was silent for a few seconds and laughter about the awkward moment came from the audience. Erika Kirk quickly came to Minaj’s rescue.
“Trust me, there’s nothing new under the sun that I haven’t heard, so you’re okay…I love you. You really have to laugh about it,” Kirk told Minaj. “You say what you want to say, because I know your heart and I won’t judge it.”
Minaj thanked Kirk and continued after a brief pause.
Shortly after Minaj’s appearance, the White House released a video clip of her at the festival in which she said, “I have the utmost respect and admiration for our president.” Minaj reposted it, adding two photos of herself and a comment: “Honey, you did it. We’re okay. I love you.”
(Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova in New York; editing by Sergio Non and Chris Reese)
