Full Breakdown
Nicki Minaj vs. Gov. Kathy Hochul: Celebrity Clash in New York’s 2026 Gubernatorial Race
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
The Social-Media Attack (Core Event)
- On October 28, 2026, rapper Nicki Minaj posted on X that Governor Kathy Hochul is “an evil woman,” urging the Democratic Party to forfeit her seat and warning she “will not escape God’s wrath.”
- Minaj also cited Hochul’s 2024 remark about Black children in the Bronx lacking computer knowledge and called on Black voters and Christians to support Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman.
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Video: Hip-hop feud heats up New York governor's race
02
Hochul’s Response
- “I think she should ought to get outside and get offline a little more. And stop going to Trump rallies because it's poisoning your mind,” — Kathy Hochul, New York governor
- She added that Minaj appears “poisoned by Donald Trump.”
Visual evidence
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03
Political Context and Background
- Hochul, elected governor in 2021, is seeking a second full term. She previously endorsed Minaj during the 2018 lieutenant-governor race.
- Republican nominee Bruce Blakeman has used the Minaj exchange to criticize Hochul, labeling her “the worst governor in America” and posting a U-Haul meme.
04
Polling and Election Outlook
05
Official Statements & Campaign Reactions
- “I love it. I mean, Nicki Minaj is a great talent. She's got a big following,” — Republican Bruce Blakeman
- Brooklyn City Councilman Chi Osse urged Cardi B to endorse Hochul, framing the feud as a partisan distraction.
- The New York City Board of Elections reported 357,027 ballots cast by October 29, 2026, a sharp increase over 2022 turnout.
06
Verbatim Quotes
- “Kathy Hochul is an evil woman. The Democratic Party should forfeit her seat because even if she wins, she will be of great consequence to them. Downward spiral for her. She will not escape God’s wrath.” — Nicki Minaj
- “I think she should ought to get outside and get offline a little more. And stop going to Trump rallies because it's poisoning your mind,” — Kathy Hochul
- “You can ask her what she's been, how she's been poisoned by Donald Trump,” — Kathy Hochul
- “I love it. I mean, Nicki Minaj is a great talent. She's got a big following,” — Bruce Blakeman
07
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Citizenship status: Newsweek notes Minaj said in 2024 she was “not a citizen of America,” while 2026 statements claim she is “finalizing citizenship paperwork.” USA Today reports the process remains unclear.
- Polling specifics: Siena and Cook provide exact percentages; other outlets reference only a “double-digit lead,” leaving the precise margin ambiguous.
08
What’s Next
- New York’s gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 3, 2026. Both campaigns will intensify voter outreach in the final week, with Minaj expected to appear at additional Trump rallies and Blakeman’s team focusing on Republican and swing-voter turnout.