Port Huron, Oct 25 (V7N)- Popular rapper Nicki Minaj joined US President Donald Trump at a Republican campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, on Sunday, urging voters to support Republican candidates ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.

Minaj praised Trump’s return to office, saying he had “changed the energy of our country” and given Americans “a future to look forward to.” She also urged voters to support Republican candidates Mike Rogers, who is running for the US Senate, and John James, the Republican gubernatorial nominee.

“I am so honored to be working with this president. He represents resilience,” Minaj told the crowd. “We really need all these great people to be elected. Because this is an important turning point for our country,” she said, according to reports from the rally.

Trump invited the rapper onto the stage during the event at McMorran Place Arena, where he was campaigning for Michigan Republicans. He praised her appearance and said she was smart and understood the political moment.

Minaj also travelled to Michigan aboard Air Force One with Trump. A video recorded during the flight showed her joking about interviewing for the White House press secretary position, according to media reports. The position had recently undergone a change in leadership following Katie Zacharia’s departure after a brief tenure.

The rapper, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago, has increasingly expressed support for Trump after previously criticising some of his policies during his first term. She has also voiced support for his immigration-related “Gold Card” programme and backed his comments about alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The Michigan rally came as Republicans and Democrats intensified their campaigns ahead of the November 3 midterm elections, which will determine control of Congress for the remainder of Trump’s current presidential term.

Michigan’s Senate contest between Republican Mike Rogers and Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has become a prominent battleground in the fight for control of the chamber. Former President Barack Obama campaigned for Democratic candidates in Detroit on Saturday, urging voters to focus on solutions to rising living costs and concerns over healthcare and housing affordability.

Trump used his Sunday speech to attack El-Sayed, referring to the Democrat’s Muslim faith and alleging that he would allow extremists into the United States if elected. El-Sayed has criticised similar remarks as Islamophobic and argued that Trump was using his name and religion to distract voters from economic concerns.

With both parties concentrating on competitive races across the country, the Michigan campaign has become a major focus in the final stretch before Election Day.

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