As Nicki Minaj Rallied for Trump’s GOP, Her Lawyers Say She Still Owes Them $295,000

Nicki Minaj’s recent public political activism has coincided with escalating legal and financial challenges. As she made a notable appearance supporting Republican candidates in the 2024 midterm elections, her former legal representatives moved to enforce an unpaid bill approaching $300,000.

On election day, Minaj was seen outside a polling location in Derry, New Hampshire, publicly endorsing Anthony DiLorenzo, a Trump-backed GOP candidate who ultimately lost his congressional race. This event followed closely after her high-profile participation at a Trump rally in Michigan, where she vocally backed the former president and engaged with the crowd in energetic chants.

Simultaneously, a Los Angeles law firm, Gordon Recs Scully Mansukhani, submitted a renewed petition for default judgment regarding an outstanding legal fee of $295,605. The firm had represented Minaj in a copyright infringement case connected to her song "I Lied," which was alleged to have copied elements from Julius Johnson’s track "onmysleeve." The dispute concluded with a private settlement and dismissal of the lawsuit, but the legal team asserts that Minaj has failed to settle the agreed fees and has not responded to their collection efforts since March.

The firm’s request for a default judgment follows the expiration of a 30-day period after Minaj was formally served with the claim, and a hearing to address this matter is scheduled for November 16. Representatives for Minaj have not provided comments regarding these legal proceedings.

Minaj's political activities have drawn considerable attention, particularly given her previous reluctance to endorse Trump. At the Michigan rally, she expressed support for Trump’s leadership and hinted at backing a potential third term, while also addressing cultural issues from her platform. Trump's personal remarks about Minaj at the event further spotlighted their unusual alliance.

This ongoing legal dispute is not Minaj’s first encounter with financial litigation. Earlier in 2024, she narrowly averted the loss of her $20 million Los Angeles residence by settling a $500,000 default judgment related to an assault claim involving her husband, Kenneth Petty. That case stemmed from an incident dating back to 2019 during a concert in Germany.

The intersection of Minaj’s political advocacy with her unresolved legal and financial obligations presents a complex portrait of the artist’s public and private challenges. As she positions herself alongside prominent Republican figures, her legal disputes continue to unfold in parallel, raising questions about the implications for her career and public image.

Details about the current status of the debt and any forthcoming legal strategies remain limited, pending the upcoming court hearing. Minaj's political engagements and legal matters illustrate the multifaceted pressures facing high-profile artists navigating both public influence and private accountability.