Nicki Minaj Brands Governor Hochul an 'Evil Woman'; Hochul Fires Back That Trump Has 'Poisoned' Her

Rapper Nicki Minaj has branded New York Governor Kathy Hochul an 'evil woman'. Ahead of the 3 November gubernatorial election, she urged voters to reject Hochul in favour of Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman.

In a series of posts on X on Wednesday, Minaj accused Hochul of failing to speak out against harm to innocent people. She called on Black voters and Christians to turn against the governor.

Minaj wrote that Kathy Hochul is an evil woman and that the Democratic Party should forfeit her seat, because even if she wins she will be of great consequence to them. In her words, Hochul will not escape God's wrath because she did not denounce evil when she had the chance.

Minaj also reposted a video of Hochul's controversial 2024 remark that there were Black kids growing up in the Bronx who do not even know what the word 'computer' is. Hochul apologised for the remark at the time, saying she misspoke and regretted it.

Responding to the video in all caps, Minaj asked how much more people needed to see and hear, and how Black people and Christians dared vote for such a woman. She wrote that Hochul stays silent on harm being caused to the innocent, and ended the post with the appeal: Vote Blakeman.

Minaj also reposted a video of Hochul joking about liquor store visits while promoting her inflation rebate initiative to a predominantly Black congregation at True Bethel Baptist Church in 2025. The church's bishop defended Hochul's comments at the time, saying they were made in the context of his sermon that day.

Hochul pushed back during a recent campaign appearance. Asked about Minaj's comments, she suggested the rapper's appearances with President Donald Trump had influenced her views. Hochul said she does not play games in this business, that this is serious, and that Minaj should be asked how she has been poisoned by Donald Trump.

Hochul added that after Trump and the MAGA world vanish and go back into their dark holes, hopefully there can be a reawakening and people like Minaj will realise they were fed a vision of the country that is not what Americans feel. Being an outlier right now, she said, is Minaj's choice.

When Hochul was asked whether she would welcome Cardi B's endorsement, she dismissed the suggestion that the exchange was a celebrity rivalry.

Social media users were divided. Some praised Hochul's response, arguing voters should focus on her record rather than celebrities' opinions. Others sided with Minaj, writing that Hochul plays dangerous games, has destroyed New York State, and that voters should vote for Blakeman to save New York.

Behind the exchange is Minaj's public support for Trump. At a Republican rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday (25 October), Trump invited her onstage as he campaigned for Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and gubernatorial candidate John James. Minaj said it was an honour to stand with Trump every time, that she will continue to support him forever, and that if he runs again she will support him again. Trump is serving his second term; under the 22nd Amendment he is barred from being elected president to a third term.