Rapper Nicki Minaj has publicly criticised New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and urged voters to support Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman in the November 3 governor’s election.
Minaj shared several posts on X on October 28. She questioned Hochul’s leadership and called on Black voters and Christians to reject the Democratic governor.
Hochul responded to the criticism during a campaign appearance in Albany. The exchange has brought fresh celebrity attention to an already closely watched election contest.
What Nicki Minaj Said About Kathy Hochul
Minaj’s criticism began with a post on X in which she called Hochul an “evil woman”. She also argued that the Democratic Party could face political consequences if the governor won another term.
In a separate post, the rapper directly challenged Black voters and Christians who might support Hochul. She accused the governor of remaining silent about harm to innocent people and ended the message with an appeal to vote for Blakeman.
Minaj did not present the posts as a formal campaign announcement. However, her message made her preference in the New York governor’s race clear.
The comments also continued her recent involvement in political discussions and public support for Republican candidates.
Kathy Hochul Responds to the Rapper’s Comments
Hochul addressed Minaj’s criticism while campaigning in Albany on October 28.
The governor suggested that Minaj’s appearances at events with President Donald Trump had affected her political views. She also said the rapper should spend more time away from social media and Trump rallies.
Hochul described the election as serious and pushed back against the criticism.
Her response quickly became another talking point in the final days of the campaign. Republican candidate Bruce Blakeman also reacted to Minaj’s support, welcoming the rapper’s public intervention.
Why Minaj Referred to Hochul’s Earlier Remarks
Minaj’s posts included references to two previous incidents involving the governor. Both had attracted public attention before the current election dispute.
Hochul’s 2024 comment about children in the Bronx
In May 2024, Hochul faced criticism after saying that some Black children growing up in the Bronx did not know what the word “computer” meant.
She made the remark during a discussion about artificial intelligence and economic opportunities at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California.
The comment drew criticism from Bronx political leaders. Hochul later apologised, saying she had misspoken.
She clarified that her concern was not that children did not understand computers. Instead, she said many lacked access to technology and opportunities that could help them enter high-paying industries.
The incident became part of the political criticism Minaj raised in her recent posts.
The 2025 remarks at a Buffalo church
Minaj also referred to comments Hochul made at True Bethel Baptist Church in Buffalo in September 2025.
While discussing state inflation rebate payments, Hochul advised attendees to spend the money on useful items rather than at liquor stores. She then joked that she sometimes visited liquor stores herself.
The remarks prompted criticism from some political figures. However, Bishop Darius Pridgen, who leads the church, defended the governor and said her comments needed to be understood in the context of the service.
Hochul’s official transcript confirms the remarks were part of a broader discussion about rebate payments, household expenses and support for families.
Minaj’s Recent Support for Donald Trump
The dispute with Hochul comes amid Minaj’s increasingly visible support for Trump and Republican candidates.
On October 25, Minaj joined the president at a Republican campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan. Trump was campaigning alongside U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers and gubernatorial candidate John James.
During the event, Minaj praised Trump and said she was honoured to stand with him. She also encouraged the audience to support Rogers and James.
A published transcript of the rally records her remarks and her expressions of support for the president.
Her criticism of Hochul is another example of Minaj using her public platform to weigh in on political candidates.
What the Latest Polls Say About the New York Governor’s Race
Hochul is seeking another term against Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive.
A Marist poll released on October 28 found Hochul leading Blakeman by 53% to 42% among likely voters. Four per cent were undecided.
The poll surveyed New York likely voters between October 22 and October 25. Its reported margin of error was plus or minus 3.9 percentage points.
The figures suggest Hochul entered the final campaign stretch with a lead. However, polling measures voter preferences at a particular time and does not determine the election result.
New York’s gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026.
Will Minaj’s Endorsement Affect the Election?
Minaj’s comments have added a prominent entertainment figure to the political conversation surrounding the New York governor’s race.
Her large public profile may help draw attention to Blakeman’s campaign. However, the effect of celebrity endorsements on voter decisions is difficult to measure without reliable polling or other evidence.
Hochul, meanwhile, has responded directly and continues to campaign for re-election.
With Election Day approaching, the candidates’ records, policy positions and voter turnout will remain central to the outcome. Minaj has made her choice public, but New York voters will decide who becomes governor.
