Mike Epps expresses his apologies to Nicki Minaj for making a joke about her involving Trump and his associates

Mike Epps has publicly apologized following the backlash he received online for jokes he made about Nicki Minaj during a recent comedy performance.

The event occurred during Epps’ stop in Louisville, Kentucky, as part of the We Them Ones Tour, where segments of his performance rapidly gained viral attention. The comedian alluded to Minaj’s political backing of Donald Trump, eliciting varied responses from fans on social media.

During the performance, Epps implied that Minaj was involved with Donald Trump and others, and ridiculed her previous remarks about possessing a “gold card” visa, suggesting it provided her with unique residency privileges. The situation intensified when Epps reacted to a fan in the audience by stating, “Shut up, btch, fck you and Nicki Minaj.” Clips of that exchange spread rapidly, with numerous viewers deeming the remarks disrespectful and unwarranted.

Since November, Minaj has openly supported Trump, commending him on global matters and participating in conservative gatherings, such as Turning Point USA’s America Fest. She subsequently participated in a Trump Accounts summit, where she was observed holding hands with Trump and described herself as his “No. 1 fan.” Minaj has mentioned receiving a “gold card” from Trump, which White House officials later clarified was a symbolic item rather than a valid visa or residency document.

In a recently released video, Epps acknowledged that he crossed a line. He offered a direct apology to Minaj and her family, clarifying that alcohol impaired his judgment and that he ought to have shown greater restraint during his performance.

The situation has sparked renewed dialogue about accountability in comedy, particularly when political commentary becomes personal during performances.