Rapper Nicki Minaj has criticized Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed over his comments about Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s childhood, accusing him of projecting personal resentment onto white people days before the November 3 midterm elections.
Nicki Minaj has entered the political controversy surrounding Michigan Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed after a podcast clip in which he contrasted his childhood experiences with what he described as the supportive upbringing of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth went viral.
In a post on X on October 31, Minaj accused El-Sayed of directing anger toward white people over experiences rooted in his relationship with his own parents.
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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,” Minaj wrote. She added, “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.”
El-Sayed made the remarks during an October 28 episode of comedian Hasan Minhaj’s podcast, Hasan Minhaj Doesn’t Know, titled “Who is Scared of Abdul El-Sayed?” The interview covered his Senate campaign, health care policy and criticism of Trump administration officials.
During the conversation, El-Sayed described growing up as a brown child whose parents rarely attended his games despite his starting in them. He said the experience left him feeling that no matter what he accomplished, he was never good enough.
He contrasted that upbringing with his perception of Hegseth’s childhood, suggesting that the defense secretary received enthusiastic parental support even when his athletic performance did not warrant it.
“Somebody told you a lot better than you really are,” El-Sayed said, describing the encouragement he believed Hegseth received.
He also imagined Hegseth’s mother celebrating his participation in sports by baking a cake, wearing his jersey and having a cap made for him. He concluded by reflecting on how supportive parents might have influenced his own development.
Minaj also criticized the exchange between El-Sayed and Minhaj. She argued that the comedian did not validate the candidate’s characterization of his childhood and described that response as something others should emulate.
“Don’t validate anyone’s experience for the sake of temporary bonding,” she wrote.
The remarks also prompted a response from Hegseth’s father, Brian Hegseth, who rejected the suggestion that his son was an unsuccessful high school athlete. In an Oct. 30 post on X, Brian described Pete as an accomplished basketball player who was captain of his team and earned all-conference and all-state honors.
“We parents cheered him on, yes. That’s what families do-support each other,” he wrote, also accusing El-Sayed of envy.
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The school’s own Hall of Fame records support Brian Hegseth’s account. Forest Lake Area High School identifies Pete Hegseth as a starting point guard, an all-state selection and a former school record-holder for career and single-season three-pointers. He later played basketball at Princeton University.
Minaj’s criticism adds another high-profile intervention to the final days of Michigan’s Senate contest. El-Sayed, a former Michigan public health official, won the Democratic primary in August and is challenging Republican Mike Rogers for the seat being vacated by Democratic Sen. Gary Peters.
The exchange has raised questions about race, childhood experiences, and political rhetoric in a campaign already marked by divisions within the Democratic Party. Voters will decide the contest on November 3.