Rapper Nicki Minaj said she admired Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton as she opened up about her political views Thursday.
“Obviously, I identify with her struggles as a woman,” she told Billboard. “I identify with the fact that when she’s in that room and there are nothing but men there — there’s sometimes something in her that must feel intimidated. But I think that she uses that and turns it into a strength. Because that’s what I’ve always done.”
While she said she was trying to be “open-minded” about every presidential candidate, Minaj said she cannot help but be impressed with the way Clinton has persevered after taking hit after hit in both her personal and political lives.
“She has gone through horrifying things, even within her marriage,” she said. “She has been brave and weathered the storm. And continued being a boss. That’s something that every woman should feel inspired by, no matter if you’re voting for her or not.”
Minaj also discussed her feelings on Republican front-runner Donald Trump, calling his controversial rhetoric “hilarious.” The Billboard reporter made a point of noting that the interview was conducted before Trump’s comments Monday about banning all Muslims from entering the U.S.
“There are points he has made that may not have been so horrible if his approach wasn’t so childish,” she said. “But in terms of entertainment — I think he’s hilarious. I wish they could just film him running for president. That’s the ultimate reality show.”
The “Super Bass” singer got serious when discussing President Obama’s July prison visits.
“I was blown away, watching the footage of him speaking to the prisoners,” Minaj said. “They never felt like anyone in the White House cared about them. I loved that he made them people again. Because we all make mistakes. I think about how many men may have made a mistake to feed their families and then had to pay for it forever.”
She described the disproportionate number of non-whites in prison on drug charges as not a “war on drugs,” but “slavery,” or “something crazier.”
“When I see how many people are in jail, I feel like, ‘Wait a minute. Our government is aware of these statistics and thinks it’s OK?'” she asked. “The sentences are inhumane. I love the president for trying to be a voice for people who no other person has ever tried to be a voice for.”
