cnn panelist calls Trump a 'drunk uncle' after praise of Nicki Minaj's 'beautiful skin'
President Donald Trump’s complimentary remarks about rapper Nicki Minaj at a White House Black History Month event sparked sharp criticism from a televised news panel Wednesday evening (ET), with commentators saying the moment underscored ongoing questions about his tone on race.
Offhand praise turns into political flashpoint
At the event, the president listed a string of cultural figures and guests, introduced his only African-American Cabinet member, and offered praise for entertainers ranging from Mike Tyson to early rock and blues stars. He then singled out Nicki Minaj, saying: "Do we love Nicki Minaj? I love Nicki Minaj. She was here a couple of weeks ago. So beautiful. Her skin is so beautiful. I said, 'Nicki, you're so beautiful. ' Her nails are like that long. 'I said, Nicki, are they real?' She said she didn't want to get into that, but she was so beautiful and so great. And she gets it, more importantly, frankly, she gets it. "
What could have been framed as lighthearted praise instead prompted panelists to question motive and judgment. One panel commentator quipped that the president "was like your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving, " adding: "What are we doing? What was that? Why would he think that, based on his recent track record, that any of that flies?"
Panelists point to a pattern of missteps
Critics on the program argued that name-checking Black celebrities and praising individual Black guests does not erase a string of controversies that many see as evidence of deeper problems. The moderator pushed back on the notion that a few compliments could counteract official actions she said had sent a different message, pointing to a dispute over a slavery exhibit in Pennsylvania as one example of policy choices that resonated loudly.
A Republican strategist on the panel described the Pennsylvania issue as troubling and unnecessary for a lower-level official to prioritize, warning that such moves risked fracturing a diverse voter coalition the president will rely on in upcoming elections. Another former communications director highlighted an earlier incident in which the president reshared a meme likening a high-profile former first couple to apes; that episode and the refusal to apologize, the commentator said, prolonged and intensified the controversy.
Observers on the show suggested the president appears genuinely upset by charges of prejudice but too often undermines his own message through impulsive or tone-deaf remarks. One panelist noted that leaning on personal relationships with people of color is a common defensive tactic used by those accused of bias, but said it offers a hollow rebuttal when paired with contentious policy choices and online behavior.
Political stakes ahead of midterms
Several panel voices warned the president that gestures like public compliments to celebrities will not necessarily translate into political gains if they are perceived as insincere or disconnected from governing decisions. The Republican strategist argued that continuing to alienate minority voters could fragment the president's coalition ahead of this year’s midterm elections.
The exchange on the program underscored a familiar dynamic in modern political life: a brief public moment — in this case, a compliment about appearance — can quickly become a focal point for broader debates about character, policy and race. For now, the incident has become another flashpoint cited by critics who say symbolic gestures are insufficient when set against a backdrop of recurring controversies.
