White House Communications Director Steven Cheung used an Air Force One interview with rapper Nicki Minaj to joke that she could become press secretary as President Donald Trump traveled to a Michigan campaign rally Sunday.
Cheung posted the video Oct. 25. In his caption, he called Minaj a possible “new White House Press Secretary,” a tease that did not announce a hire. Minaj said of Trump, “Surely he knows what to do with the country.”
The Associated Press reported Trump was aboard the plane heading for Michigan. The Trump 47 Committee listed a rally at McMorran Place Arena in Port Huron for 3 p.m. EDT, with doors opening at 11:30 a.m. EDT. The listing named Trump but not Minaj.
The Washington Examiner reported ahead of the rally that Minaj was expected to appear with Trump to support Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers and other GOP candidates. The Associated Press also reported that the White House envisioned celebrity appearances across Trump's campaign tour as part of a push to keep Republicans in control of Congress.
The Associated Press said Katie Zacharia left the press secretary's job after five days. The rally came nine days before the Nov. 3 midterm elections. Reuters included Michigan's open Senate race between Rogers and Abdul El-Sayed among contests that could affect control of the Senate.
