Nicki Minaj criticized Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after a video circulated showing the Democrat discussing his childhood and comparing his upbringing with that of Pete Hegseth.

The rapper shared a clip from an interview El-Sayed gave on comedian Hasan Minhaj’s show, where he described growing up as a “brown kid” with demanding parents who made him feel that his accomplishments were never enough.

El-Sayed contrasted that experience with what he described as Hegseth’s upbringing, saying Hegseth received praise from his white parents even when his performance was mediocre.

Minaj argued that El-Sayed’s comments reflected resentment rooted in his own childhood rather than mistreatment by white people.

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"If you listen carefully it’s a misplaced anger at his own parents for not making him feel worthy that turned into raging jealousy of other children who had parents that lifted them up and poured into them. He’s projected all of that onto white people," Minaj wrote. "He needs to mend his heart before thinking about running for any office. White ppl haven’t hurt him. He knows exactly who did. Notice how he doesn’t get the satisfaction he was craving when the interviewer simply anchors himself & doesn’t validate that experience.”

Minaj then urged people not to automatically affirm personal grievances simply for the sake of agreement or emotional connection.

“We should all do more of this. Don’t validate anyone’s experience for the sake of temporary bonding,” Minaj added.

If you listen carefully it’s a misplaced anger at his own parents for not making him feel worthy that turned into raging jealousy of other children who had parents that lifted them up and poured into them. He’s projected all of that onto white people. He needs to mend his heart before thinking about running for any office. White ppl haven’t hurt him. He knows exactly who did. Notice how he doesn’t get the satisfaction he was craving when the interviewer simply anchors himself & doesn’t validate that experience. We should all do more of this. Don’t validate anyone’s experience for the sake of temporary bonding.

— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) October 31, 2026

El-Sayed’s remarks also drew a response from Elon Musk, who reacted to the clip by writing, “he hates white people.”

@DrewPavlou He hates White people

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2026

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The controversy adds to previous criticism El-Sayed has faced from conservatives over statements involving race.

El-Sayed has previously argued that America has “baked racism into its foundation” and has referred to Border Patrol agents as “white supremacists.”

Those comments have become part of the broader criticism directed at his Senate campaign as Republicans and other critics argue that his rhetoric reflects hostility toward white Americans and law enforcement personnel.

Vice President JD Vance also criticized El-Sayed during a rally in Michigan, accusing him of expressing explicitly anti-white racial views.

“Abdul El-Sayed, who may be more than any Democrat running in the nation, has engaged in the kind of explicitly anti-white racial hatred that has become common on the Democratic Party,” Vance said. “I'd say that person should not be elected.”

Vance: "Abdul El-Sayed, maybe more than any Democrat running in the nation, has engaged in the kind of explicitly anti-White racial hatred that has become common in the Democrat party." https://t.co/dggveWwb8M

— TheBlaze (@theblaze) October 27, 2026

Vance’s remarks placed El-Sayed’s comments within a larger political argument over race and identity inside the Democratic Party.

El-Sayed’s interview with Minaj, however, focused on his personal upbringing and the expectations he said were placed on him as a child.

In the clip shared by Minaj, El-Sayed said his parents pushed him in a way that made him feel as though his achievements were never sufficient. He then contrasted that experience with his perception of Hegseth’s childhood, arguing that Hegseth received encouragement and praise from his parents despite what El-Sayed characterized as mediocre performance.

Minaj interpreted that comparison as evidence that El-Sayed’s frustration was directed at the wrong target.

Her response centered on the idea that his resentment came from the expectations placed on him by his own parents and was later redirected toward white people more broadly.

She also highlighted Minaj’s reaction during the interview, saying he did not validate El-Sayed’s experience in the way El-Sayed appeared to expect.

The exchange quickly became another flashpoint in the Michigan Senate race, with Minaj, Musk and Vance all weighing in against El-Sayed.

The criticism comes as El-Sayed continues to face scrutiny over his previous comments on race, including his claim that racism was embedded in America’s founding and his description of Border Patrol agents as white supremacists.

Minaj’s post added a cultural figure outside traditional political circles to the growing criticism surrounding El-Sayed’s comments.

The debate now centers not only on what El-Sayed said during the Minhaj interview, but also on whether those remarks reflect a broader racial worldview that could become an issue for voters considering his Senate candidacy.