President Donald Trump commented on Nicki Minaj’s body during an October 25 rally in Port Huron, Michigan, calling her backside “one hell of a beautiful ass” while revisiting his earlier public remarks about Sen. Jon Husted’s physique.
Trump then asked the rapper to stand. Published accounts described Minaj rising and waving as members of the crowd cheered. She also spoke at the Republican campaign event.
What Trump said about Nicki Minaj
The comment came during a longer account of Husted’s college football background. Trump shifted from discussing the Ohio senator to addressing Minaj, who was attending the rally.
After commenting on her body, Trump said it was hard to miss and called on her to stand. He then returned to his earlier story.
“I hope Nicki wasn’t insulted, but we love Nicki,” he said, according to Mediaite’s account of the remarks.
That was Trump’s description of his intention. The reports reviewed do not establish Minaj’s personal feelings about the specific comment. Standing, waving or supporting a politician does not, by itself, answer that separate question.
Why Jon Husted came up in the speech
Trump was explaining his repeated public descriptions of Husted’s body. He said learning about the senator’s football career had prompted him to study his physical build.
In the Michigan remarks, Trump described the earlier comments as having been made in fun. He argued that news coverage had omitted the athletic context behind his observations.
Husted played defensive back at the University of Dayton. AllHipHop reported that Trump referred to former NFL coach Jon Gruden’s description of Husted as a hard tackler.
Hourly Times’ earlier coverage of Trump’s comments about Jon Husted traces the Ohio and Kentucky appearances that preceded the Michigan rally.
The background explains how Trump reached the subject during his speech. It does not change the words he used about Minaj or establish their effect on the audience beyond the reported reaction inside the venue.
Minaj also addressed the Republican gathering
Minaj traveled to Michigan with Trump aboard Air Force One, according to AllHipHop. During the trip, she praised his business experience, negotiating ability and work ethic in a conversation with White House communications director Steven Cheung.
FOX 2 Detroit separately published coverage of her rally speech. Its description says she spoke about her support for Trump and discussed Republican candidates Mike Rogers and John James.
Her appearance therefore included her own political message, as well as Trump’s remarks about her. Those two parts of the event should be distinguished when describing what happened.
The Michigan visit also included policy questions
Before the rally, Trump gave FOX 2 reporter Roop Raj an interview about the trade dispute with Canada, the Iran war and economic concerns facing Michigan voters.
According to the station, Trump said a tariff agreement with Canada was being worked on. He gave differing possibilities for its timing, suggesting it could take months while also saying it might be resolved before the election.
On Iran, Trump said preventing nuclear capabilities was a priority and defended taking time to reach what he considered a good agreement.
FOX 2 reported that Rogers and James also spoke at the Port Huron event. The previous day, former President Barack Obama campaigned with Democratic candidates in Detroit.
Early voting was already underway statewide
The rally took place after Michigan’s statewide early-voting period began October 24. The Department of State’s official early-voting announcement says that period continues through November 1, ahead of the November 3 general election.
Some communities offer additional days. The department advises voters to check the location, dates and hours serving their community, rather than assuming their early-voting site is the same as their Election Day precinct.
Eligible residents who still need to register can do so at their city or township clerk’s office with proof of residency through 8 p.m. on Election Day. The state says they can register and vote on the same day.
