Pop superstar Nicki Minaj took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday, mocking his recent comments about transgender youth.
Earlier this week, Newsom told The New York Times podcast that he “wants to see trans kids,” a remark that quickly drew criticism from Republican commentators online.
Rather than walk back the statement, Newsom’s office doubled down, reiterating the governor’s support for transgender youth in a follow‑up post on social media.
Minaj responded Friday with a pointed tweet, writing “imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that.”
“Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids. Not Gav,” Minaj said.
The rapper’s post immediately sparked debate, with supporters praising her bluntness and critics accusing her of trivializing the issue. Minaj, who has more than 25 million followers on X, often uses her platform to weigh in on cultural and political controversies.
Newsom, a Democrat and frequent target of conservative media, is trying to position himself as a defender of LGBTQ+ rights. The controversy comes as Newsom is widely seen as testing the waters for a potential 2028 presidential run, adding national weight to his words and the reactions they provoke.
