Rapper Nikki Minaj joins Trump onstage at Michigan rally

Rapper Nikki Minaj appeared beside President Donald Trump at a Sunday campaign rally in Port Huron, Michigan, lending her celebrity to Republican candidates as the November 3 midterms approach. Control of Congress for the remainder of Trump's term is at stake. Minaj, who flew to the state with Trump on Air Force One, told the audience he had given Americans something to look forward to, and she urged them to elect the party's slate. Trump, for his part, made a crude remark about her appearance when introducing her, then said she was smart, according to BBC.

The state's Senate contest is a close one. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers are running neck and neck with little more than a week left. Trump used his speech to focus on El-Sayed's Muslim faith and heritage, claiming he would "invite jihadists" into the country. El-Sayed has called such comments Islamophobic and said they are meant to divert attention from economic hardship. Former President Barack Obama had campaigned with him the day before.

Summarized by PolitiKool from BBC’s reporting. Read the full story at BBC →