Nicki Minaj Brings ‘Starships’ Full Circle at SpaceX Launch

Nicki Minaj showed her support when she visited Elon Musk's Starbase site as SpaceX geared up to launch its new rocket this week wearing a black “Starship” shirt, smiling as the countdown preparation began around her.

For many the moment was surreal.

The Starship Version 3 launch was ultimately postponed because of a technical issue involving what Musk later described as a faulty “hydraulic pin,” reports USA Today. But by then, clips of Minaj walking around Starbase and praising Musk had already spread widely online.

The rapper behind the 2012 hit “Starships” was showing for the billionaire's project as she is increasingly also speaking up about her admiration for President Donald Trump.

“I’ve launched,” Minaj joked during a livestream interview with SpaceX staffers before adding: “This is historic. This is a major moment, y’all.”

The appearance immediately fueled discussion not only because of the obvious “Starships” connection, but because it marked another highly visible moment in Minaj’s evolving political and cultural identity.

Over the past year, Minaj has surprised fans with her support of conservative political figures. Previously, it was thought that the rapper was leaning right, but she has now firmly aligned herself with the president.

She attended President Donald Trump’s “Trump Accounts” summit earlier this year and later described herself as “probably the president’s No. 1 fan.”

She also attended a screening for first lady Melania Trump’s documentary at the newly renamed Trump-Kennedy Center.

Now, Minaj buying out the time to come to Musk's space facility has added to the story. Musk used to be one of Trump's top advisors and was the head the Department of Government Efficiency before he stepped down from the government role.

During the SpaceX event, Minaj even thanked Musk directly.

“Major shout-out to Elon,” she said. “Thank you for everything that you’re doing for humanity.”

Some longtime fans celebrated the crossover between Minaj’s “Starships” era and Musk’s actual Starship rocket program. They loved how the moment has come full circle for her.

Others focused on her increasingly vocal embrace of figures and spaces traditionally viewed as outside mainstream entertainment circles.

Elon Musk appeared to be amused by Minaj visiting the center, and played along.

Ahead of the launch attempt, SpaceX posted a clip of Minaj encouraging her fan base, known as the Barbz, to tune into the event.

Musk later reposted an AI-generated image of himself and Minaj with the caption, “Get in loser, we are launching rocket today.”

Minaj leaned into the irony herself by referring to her hit song during the livestream.

Pointing to her shirt, she connected the branding directly to her 2012 single “Starships,” one of her biggest hits and iconic songs of the early 2010s.

The rapper recently shared why she has chosen to open up about her support of Trump.

Minaj revealed that many celebrities privately share similar opinions but did not want to publicly share their views.

“Many celebrities feel the way I do, but they don’t say it,” she said.

“Sometimes, you just need one brave person to get the brunt of the impact. I think I am the catalyst for that change.”

She added, “Hopefully, when they see me and hear me speak and feel my energy, that will make them say, ‘You know what: Who am I afraid of? What am I afraid of?’