Nicki Minaj blasts Gov. Newsom over ‘trans kids’ comment

Rapper Nicki Minaj publicly ripped California Gov. Gavin Newsom after he promoted his record on transgender policy and said he wants to “see trans kids.”

The exchange drew national attention because Minaj is a major figure in pop culture.

Newsom made the remarks during an interview with Ezra Klein on a New York Times podcast.

“I want to see trans kids,” Newsom said. “There’s no governor that’s done more pro-trans legislation than I have. No one has been a stronger advocate for the LGBT community.”

Minaj responded on X with a post that quickly went viral and triggered backlash from progressive fans.

“Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids,” Minaj wrote. “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. The Gav Nots. GavOUT. Send in the next guy, I’m bored.”

She followed up with additional criticism accusing Newsom of ignoring other crises in California.

“Fire victims? Nah. Hollywood? Nah. Swatting calls to homes with innocent children? Nah,” Minaj wrote. “GAVIN WANTS ONE THING. TRANSKIDS NEWSOME.”

She later suggested “Gavvy’s still transitioning.”

Minaj has previously been praised within the entertainment industry for LGBT allyship and has collaborated musically with a transgender-identifying artist, Kim Petras. Her blunt rejection of Newsom’s rhetoric reflects growing cultural rejection of gender ideology involving children.

In response to Minaj’s remarks, Petras claimed on X, “trans kids r healthy btw.”

Last month, Minaj appeared at Turning Point USA’s America Fest, a large conservative gathering, where she discussed Newsom and read her “trans kids” post aloud.

During the conversation, she made remarks about boys that liberal activists interpreted as a rejection of gender ideology.

“Boys, be boys. It’s OK. Be boys. There’s nothing wrong with being a boy. … How powerful is that? How profound is that? Boys will be boys, and there’s nothing wrong with that,” Minaj said. 

Most Americans share a similar opinion about transgenderism in minors. A February 2025 Pew Research poll found 56% of Americans oppose so-called gender-affirming care for minors, while only 26% support it.

Meanwhile, Minaj has grown increasingly supportive of the Trump administration. She has even praised the administration for taking a stand against the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.