Gov. Hochul Fires Back at Nicki Minaj After Rapper Calls Her 'Evil'

Governor Kathy Hochul and rapper Nicki Minaj traded sharp barbs on October 29, giving the final stretch of New York's gubernatorial race an unexpected celebrity dimension. Minaj, who has been vocal in her support for Donald Trump and appeared at a Trump rally in Michigan, posted on social media accusing Hochul of being 'an evil woman' and suggesting the Democratic Party should 'forfeit her seat.' At a campaign stop in Albany, Hochul countered by telling Minaj to 'get outside and get offline a little more' and to stop attending Trump rallies, which Hochul said were 'poisoning your mind.' The exchange is particularly notable because Minaj previously endorsed Hochul during her 2018 lieutenant governor campaign. Hochul currently holds a double-digit lead over Republican challenger Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman in polling ahead of the November 3 Election Day.