On January 28, Fox News host Laura Ingraham mistakenly identified rapper Nicki Minaj as Cardi B while discussing Minaj’s recent participation in a Trump administration event in Washington, D.C.
The misstep occurred during a segment of The Ingraham Angle when Ingraham was interviewing Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio. She incorrectly ascribed the controversial 2020 song “WAP” to Minaj, a track that was in reality performed by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion.
Earlier that day, Minaj, 43, had attended a Treasury Department event at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium to promote Trump Accounts, an initiative designed to help parents financially prepare for their newborns. The Trinidad-born rapper pronounced herself as the president’s most avid supporter at the event.
“I am probably the president’s number one fan, and that’s not going to change,” Minaj declared during the event with President Trump, 79.
Ingraham discussed Minaj’s unlikely alliance with the president during her interview with Moreno. The show displayed a caption referring to the rapper as “MAGA Minaj” while Ingraham critiqued her music.
Ingraham criticized the lyrics in some of Minaj’s songs and falsely attributed “WAP” to the rapper. This error was quickly corrected by a producer named Sam who informed Ingraham that “That’s Cardi B,” causing a noticeable pause in the broadcast.
Ingraham thanked Sam for the correction, with Moreno laughing at the error. Ingraham later apologized for the mix-up, expressing disbelief that she had insulted Minaj by comparing her to Cardi B.
Revealing that she is a fan of country music, Ingraham apologized for the confusion. The song “WAP” is known for its explicit content and was released in 2020 by Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, becoming a talking point for its sexually explicit lyrics.
The blunder quickly spread on social media, with critics accusing Ingraham of confusing Black women entertainers. Among those commenting on the incident was CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers.
Despite the on-air correction, Ingraham continued her interview with Moreno, discussing the significance of Minaj’s support for Trump. Moreno argued that Minaj’s endorsement challenges stereotypes about Trump supporters.
At the Treasury Department event, Minaj joined Trump to promote the Trump Accounts program, stating that criticism of her conservative stance does not affect her, but rather motivates her to support him more.
During the event, Minaj was given a Trump Gold Card, which carries a one million dollar price tag with a $15,000 processing fee. However, Minaj claimed she received the card free of charge. Trump stated that Minaj was investing hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Trump Accounts program.
The card Minaj received was a memento and not an actual visa document; she has been a legal permanent resident for approximately 20 years. Originally from Trinidad, Minaj admitted she arrived in America illegally as a child and now holds a green card.
The Trump Gold Card program has attracted both supporters and critics. Minaj’s endorsement of Trump and conservative politics signifies a substantial shift. Her endorsement of Trump is one of the most high-profile celebrity endorsements the president has received.
Minaj’s support for Trump has provoked significant backlash, but she has remained firm in her endorsement, using her platform to defend the president against what she considers to be unjust attacks.
The error on The Ingraham Angle underscores the difficulties media personalities encounter when covering topics outside their usual fields. The mistake also reinforced longstanding criticism that some media figures struggle to distinguish between Black entertainers.
The broadcast quickly became a hot topic on social media platforms, with clips of the correction widely shared. The rapid spread of the clip illustrates how quickly on-air errors can disseminate in the digital age.
On the same day as the incident, Minaj made headlines for her endorsement of the president at a White House Oval Office appearance. Her transformation into “MAGA Minaj” is one of the more surprising celebrity political alignments in recent memory.
The Trump Accounts initiative aims to provide financial assistance for American families with newborns. The program is one of several family-focused policies promoted by the Trump administration. Critics question the long-term fiscal sustainability of the program and whether wealthy individuals like Minaj should be the public face of initiatives meant to help average Americans.
