Trump aide floats Nicki Minaj as White House press secretary after video on Air Force One

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung posted a video on X on Sunday, October 25, 2026, suggesting rapper Nicki Minaj could be the next White House press secretary. The clip was filmed aboard Air Force One en route to a Michigan rally for President Donald Trump, where Minaj was expected to speak. Minaj reposted it with American flag and laughing emojis, without saying whether she wants the job. In the video she said Trump understands economics as a businessman and rebuilt his own finances. She also called him tough on foreign policy and said he outworks people half his age. The vacancy follows Katie Zacharia's exit earlier this month after under a week in the job, and Karoline Leavitt's earlier resignation to support her family. Separately, Trump said Sunday on Truth Social that he is considering moving the White House press corps and has no plan for a Briefing Room swimming pool.

Right-leaning outlets the Daily Mail and Washington Examiner both lead with Cheung's post and Minaj's praise of Trump's business record. The Daily Mail adds celebrity and campaign framing: its headline cites a flirty Trump remark about Minaj's figure and star power for the midterms, and it notes her $6,000 Gucci suit. The Examiner is plainer, adding her foreign-policy remarks and Zacharia's criticized 14-minute briefing. Left-leaning outlets had not reported the story at the time of writing, while alternative/independent and right-leaning outlets had. Of the independent outlets, TMZ reports two staffers informally floating Minaj and says Zacharia was fired, while The Hill covers Trump's press corps comments instead.