California Gov. Gavin Newsom is weighing in on a White-House floated rumor that his Los Angeles constituent, rapper Nicki Minaj, could be the next White House press secretary, resurfacing a series of public sparring between Minaj and the Democratic governor.
"We can only pray," Newsom's press office posted on Oct. 25 in response to a TMZ report that Minaj has been floated by White House staffers for the role.
The post followed Minaj, who has called herself President Donald Trump's "No. 1 Fan," riding on Air Force One and campaigning with thepresident in Michigan.
We can only pray https://t.co/53Z5Hkh2XH
— Governor Newsom Press Office (@GovPressOffice) October 26, 2026
Trump notably shouted out Minaj for having "one hell of a beautiful" butt as she addressed the audience on stage, even leading a "We Love Trump"
chant. The rapper previously appeared with Trump in January at the Trump Account Summit, writing on X that she was "paying it forward" by investing in the president's financial plan for American youth.
Newsom's office also posted a response to Trump's comments about Minaj's backside, writing "An unlikely match. Then again, it all Depends."
In December 2025, Minaj appeared at a Turning Point USA event with Erika Kirk, where she read previous X posts slamming Newsom, even calling him "Gavvy Pooh" and Trump's nickname for the governor: "Newscum." The rapper has written a series of posts in the past about the California politician.
After Katie Zacharia's five day tenure as press secretary in October and Karoline Leavitt leaving the post in August to spend time with her family, Minaj's name has emerged as a possible contender for the role. White House Director of Communications Steven Cheung posted a video of Minaj on Air Force One, writing "Ladies and gentlemen, I think we may have found the new White House Press Secretary!"
Other contenders in the rumor mill for the press secretary role include CNN senior political contributor Scott Jennings, White House communications aide Danielle Alvarez and former Fox News anchor Maria Bartiromo.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'We can only pray': Newsom weighs in on Nicki Minaj press secretary speculation
