Donald Trump praised Nicki Minaj for having a “beautiful a**” during a rally in Port Huron, Michigan, before asking the rapper to stand up in front of the crowd.
Addressing the audience, the president said: “By the way, I looked at one hell of a beautiful ass before: Nicki Minaj. That’s hard to miss. Stand up. That’s hard to miss.”
Trump then added: “I hope Nicki wasn’t insulted, but we love Nicki. She’s been with us for a long time.”
Minaj had appeared alongside Trump at the event after travelling with him on Air Force One. She shared video from her time aboard the aircraft before joining him in Port Huron.
The appearance also prompted suggestions from White House staff that Minaj could become the next press secretary.
White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote: “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!”
Trump adviser Alex Bruesewitz also addressed Minaj’s supporters, writing: “Hey Barbz, what do we think about this idea??”
The remarks were not the first time Trump has commented publicly on a person’s backside during a campaign appearance. At events in Kentucky and Ohio, he spoke about Senator John Husted’s rear end, saying he had been looking because he wanted to establish that Husted was a “great athlete”.
