Trump and Minaj trade body-focused compliments at tight Michigan midterm rally

Key points

• Trump and Minaj traveled to Port Huron, Michigan, on Air Force One to support Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers and gubernatorial nominee John James.
• Trump complimented Minaj’s rear, calling it 'hard to miss,' and asked the crowd to stand up for her, framing the comment as a follow-up to his earlier remarks about Senator Jon Husted.
• Minaj, dressed in a Gucci suit, led the crowd in chanting for Trump and stated that he has 'changed the energy of the country,' reaffirming her loyalty ahead of the November 3 midterms.
• The Michigan Senate race between Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed remains extremely close, with analysts projecting a potential blue wave, prompting aggressive campaigning from both parties.
• Trump used the rally to attack El-Sayed’s faith, calling him a 'Jihadist Muslim Brotherhood member,' while also discussing high gas prices, Greenland, and his indifference to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Background

This rally follows a month-long campaign blitz by Trump, who has increasingly relied on celebrity endorsements to counter declining approval ratings, which have fallen to 37%. Minaj, previously critical of Trump’s immigration policies, has aligned herself with the administration, appearing at White House events and Fox News segments. Her involvement is seen as a strategic move to court young voters, despite her current lack of U.S. citizenship, which renders her ineligible to vote. The Michigan race is a key battleground in the 2026 midterms, with Democrats aggressively campaigning alongside former President Barack Obama, who recently held a rally for El-Sayed.

How outlets are covering it

USA Today and The Guardian focused heavily on the physical compliments exchanged between Trump and Minaj, framing them as part of a pattern of body-focused remarks that has drawn criticism. The Independent highlighted the broader, often off-script nature of Trump’s speech, including his attacks on El-Sayed’s faith and his claims about Greenland. BBC emphasized Minaj’s praise of Trump’s impact on the country’s energy and the tight race in Michigan, noting Obama’s recent involvement. All sources agree on the competitive nature of the Michigan Senate race and the strategic importance of Minaj’s endorsement, but differ in emphasis: USA Today and The Guardian focus on the spectacle of the body comments, while BBC and The Independent provide broader context on the political stakes and Trump’s other remarks.

Why it matters

The rally underscores the high stakes of the 2026 midterms, where control of Congress will determine the remainder of Trump’s presidency. The use of celebrity endorsements like Minaj’s reflects a strategic shift to court younger voters, a demographic where Trump’s approval is low. The body-focused comments also highlight ongoing criticism of Trump’s language style and the media’s focus on his personal remarks over policy. The tight Michigan race serves as a bellwether for the national midterm outcome, with both parties investing heavily in the state.

What to watch

The next major event is the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress. Campaigns for Mike Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed will intensify in the final week, with both parties likely to focus on economic issues like gas prices and immigration. Minaj may continue to appear with Trump at further rallies, potentially in other swing states, to bolster Republican turnout among younger voters. Trump’s administration will also face scrutiny over his claims regarding Greenland and his handling of the Iran conflict, which has contributed to higher gas prices.