Vice President JD Vance Sparks Debate After Tweet Declaring “Nicki Minaj > Cardi B” — A Look at Their Political Divide

Vice President JD Vance set social media on fire this week after tweeting that Nicki Minaj is “greater than” Cardi B, instantly inserting himself into one of the most polarizing debates in modern hip hop.
What started as a random pop-culture opinion quickly turned into a political moment, given both artists’ complicated history with U.S. politics and their sharply divided fanbases.

The tweet went viral within minutes, with supporters and critics flooding X (formerly Twitter) to question why the Vice President would weigh in on a years-long rap feud — and whether it was an attempt to appeal to younger voters.

Why JD Vance’s Tweet Hit a Nerve

While celebrity comparisons happen every day on social media, the VP’s decision to publicly crown Nicki Minaj over Cardi B struck a deeper chord because:

• Nicki Minaj has previously praised conservative figures and questioned Democratic policy.

• Cardi B has openly supported Democratic candidates and conducted multiple political interviews.

• Their fanbases are notoriously passionate — and politically aware.

By picking a side, Vance unintentionally tapped into a cultural moment where hip hop, politics, and online fandom constantly collide.

Nicki Minaj vs. Cardi B: A Rivalry Bigger Than Music

Nicki Minaj and Cardi B have had a complicated, often tense relationship since Cardi’s mainstream breakout in 2017–2018.
What began as indirect competition turned into a public feud marked by:

• Subtweets

• Interviews

• A viral Fashion Week confrontation

• Fan-driven narratives that amplified every disagreement

Even when the artists attempted to de-escalate, the public — and sometimes industry figures — kept the rivalry alive.

JD Vance’s tweet now adds a new layer:
a member of the U.S. government choosing a side in a hip-hop beef that has cultural, fan, and political implications.

Their Opposing Political Ties: A Brief History

Nicki Minaj

Nicki’s political statements over the years have often leaned toward skepticism of the Democratic establishment. Examples include:

• Criticizing certain Democratic policies

• Questioning vaccine mandates

• Publicly praising Tucker Carlson for defending her

• Expressing sympathy for viewpoints often associated with conservative circles

Because of this, some conservatives view Nicki as a celebrity voice with crossover appeal — even if she doesn’t fully align with them.

Cardi B

Cardi has taken an almost opposite path:

• Publicly interviewed Bernie Sanders in 2019 and 2020

• Criticized the Trump administration

• Advocated for social programs and criminal justice reform

• Engaged directly with Democratic politicians on policy issues

• Encouraged young people to vote

Cardi has intentionally positioned herself as a politically engaged figure, unafraid to speak on systemic issues affecting marginalized communities.

Why Vance’s Endorsement Matters Culturally

Vice President of the United States of America JD Vance declares Nicki Minaj is better than Cardi B pic.twitter.com/n8pZ0NKITy

— Akademiks TV (@AkademiksTV) December 11, 2025

Vance’s tweet may seem playful, but it places two of hip hop’s most influential women into the political spotlight again—this time from the highest office ever to comment on the rivalry.
And it comes at a time when:

• Politicians increasingly use pop culture to reach younger voters

• Hip hop fans are highly active on social media

• Black and Latina women’s voting power is heavily courted by both parties

By publicly choosing Nicki over Cardi, Vance indirectly gestures toward the cultural divides already present in their fandoms.

The Bigger Question: Why Is the Government Commenting on Hip Hop Beef?

Some fans joked that it was “the most chaotic tweet a VP has ever sent.”
Others speculated it was intentional political strategy.
But many simply found it surreal to see the White House stepping into a rap debate that has consumed online culture for nearly a decade.

Regardless of intent, one thing is clear:

The Nicki vs. Cardi rivalry now has a political chapter — and JD Vance just wrote it.