The White House · Report · File No. 261031-476
Trump says he'd 'think about' Nicki Minaj as press secretary; post is open
In a Friday interview, Trump called the idea of the rapper as White House press secretary "a good idea." The job has had no permanent holder for 60 of the past 65 days, and no pick is expected before Tuesday's election.
Every quote in this story (2) was matched word for word against its source. How we work

President Donald Trump said in a Florida interview on Friday that he would consider rapper Nicki Minaj or conservative commentator Benny Johnson as his next White House press secretary, Newsweek reported 1. Johnson, a right-wing YouTuber, asked Trump whether Minaj should get the job 1.
That’s a good idea. I’m going to think about that.
Trump then turned to Johnson and said: "How about you? You'd be pretty good, too." 1 Newsweek said his light tone left unclear whether either person is under serious consideration 1.
A job that keeps going empty
The press secretary is the president's chief spokesperson, who answers reporters' questions at the podium. Newsweek reports the post has lacked a permanent holder for 60 of the past 65 days 1.
Karoline Leavitt left on Aug. 27, and the White House then went 45 days without a press secretary 1. Trump announced Katie Zacharia on Oct. 9, but she lasted five days, Newsweek reports 1. Her tenure ended after one 14-minute briefing in which she took questions from three reporters 1.
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How the Minaj idea took off
Speculation began after White House communications director Steven Cheung posted a video from Air Force One. He wrote that "we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!" 12 Minaj shared the post with an American flag and a laughing emoji 1.
Minaj appeared with Trump at an Oct. 25 rally in Port Huron, Michigan, and told the crowd, "We love Trump!" 2 Newsweek says no evidence has emerged that she has been interviewed, vetted or formally approached 1.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, answered the speculation with a short line 3. He did not explain it, and neither the White House nor Minaj has announced a job offer 3.
We can only pray.
What happens next
A White House official told Newsweek that no decision is expected before the Nov. 3 midterm election 1. Cheung said, "President Trump and his team are focused on the midterm election," according to USA Today, as quoted by Newsweek 1.
Betting sites Kalshi and Polymarket let users trade on future events. Their prices can be read as rough odds, but they are not verified forecasts 1. Newsweek said principal deputy press secretary Anna Kelly led both at 19 percent 1. Minaj stood at 3 percent on Polymarket and 5 percent on Kalshi 1.
Polymarket gave a 34 percent chance of a permanent pick by Nov. 30 and 67 percent by Dec. 31 1.
That matters because the press secretary is the person who explains the president's decisions to the public. The spot is empty again days before voters go to the polls 1. Whether Trump is joking or serious, the White House has not said who will take questions on his behalf 1.
The Record
- Karoline Leavitt left the press secretary job; the White House then went 45 days without one 1.
- Trump announced Katie Zacharia as press secretary; she left after five days and one 14-minute briefing 1.
- Minaj appeared with Trump at a Michigan rally and said, "We love Trump!" 2
- Trump said Minaj as press secretary is "a good idea" and that he would think about it 1.
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Sources
- Newsweek, “Trump Floats Nicki Minaj for Press Secretary: Top Contenders For The Job” (2026-10-31). newsweek.com/trump-nicki-minaj-press-secretary-contenders-jo
- IBTimes UK, “Donald Trump Says 'That's Hard To Miss' About Nicki Minaj as Aide Floats Her for White House Press Secretary” (2026-10-26). ibtimes.co.uk/trump-nicki-minaj-michigan-rally-press-secreta
- EURweb, “Gavin Newsom on Nicki Minaj as press secretary” (2026-10-27). eurweb.com/gavin-newsom-nicki-minaj/
Found an error? Tell the newsroom. Corrections are noted at the top of the story.
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