A social media firestorm has erupted after commentator and media personality Nikki Free criticized rapper Nicki Minaj for publicly promoting what she described as a “Trump Gold Card.”
Free said the card Nicki Minaj was flaunting carries no legal immigration status and amounts to political merchandise rather than official documentation.
In a video shared on her social platforms, Free accused Minaj of misleading the public by showcasing the card while aligning herself with former U.S. President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement. According to Free, the White House has since clarified that the card is not a visa, does not grant citizenship, and offers no form of immigration relief.
“That’s merch,” Free said in the video. “It’s not a visa, not citizenship, not immigration relief — a souvenir.”
Free said the incident is an example of what she called the misuse of celebrity influence and political branding, suggesting Minaj publicly signaled that the card represented elite access or legal standing when, in reality, it did not alter her immigration status in any way.
The criticism comes amid Minaj’s increasingly visible political statements, including praise for Trump and declarations of support that have drawn both backlash and praise from different segments of the public.
Free argued that Minaj’s alignment with the MAGA movement came at the expense of her cultural credibility and core fan base, while yielding no tangible political or legal benefit.
According to Free, the situation highlights how symbolic gestures tied to political figures can be mistaken for substantive outcomes, particularly when promoted by high-profile celebrities. She characterized the card as a novelty item rather than an official government-issued document, stressing that U.S. immigration status can only be conferred through formal federal processes.
As of publication, Nicki Minaj has not publicly responded to Free’s comments or to claims regarding the legal standing of the card.
No official documentation has been presented indicating the card provides any recognized immigration benefit under U.S. law.
