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How Trump's $1 million 'Gold Card' program works as Nicki Minaj seemingly receives one

Home> News> US News

Published 18:50 29 Jan 2026 GMT

How Trump's $1 million 'Gold Card' program works as Nicki Minaj seemingly receives one

Minaj took to social media claiming she bagged one 'free of charge'

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck

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Featured Image Credit: X/@NICKIMINAJ

Topics: Donald Trump, Money, Nicki Minaj, Politics, US News

Poppy Bilderbeck
Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a freelance journalist with words in Daily Express, Cosmopolitan UK, LADbible, UNILAD and Tyla. She is a former Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible.

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Donald Trump's Gold Card Visa program has hit headlines after one of the cards was bagged 'free of charge' by none other than 'Super Bass' rapper Nicki Minaj.

As if Trump wasn't monopolizing enough on his presidency, raking in a reported $1.4 billion so far as the 40th President of the US, he also signed an executive order in September 2025, to establish the so-called 'Gold Card' Visa program.

Taking to Truth Social just months earlier, Trump claimed 'more than 15,000 [had] signed up and joined the Waiting List since' the site was opened.

However, months later and not much has been heard about the Gold Card, until Nicki Minaj waltzed onto Twitter to reveal she'd bagged one shortly after attending a conference literally hand-in-hand with the POTUS.

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It promises to 'unlock life in America,' but what actually is the card and how do you get your hands on one if you're not Minaj?

Donald Trump spotting Nicki Minaj's nails and deciding to chuck her a Gold Card 'free of charge' (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Donald Trump spotting Nicki Minaj's nails and deciding to chuck her a Gold Card 'free of charge' (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

What is Trump's Gold Card?

A Trump Gold Card is 'a visa based upon an individual's ability to provide a substantial benefit to the United States,' according to the official website.

It essentially offers a fast-tracked journey to gaining US citizenship, promising 'US residency in record time'.

But how do you get one?

Trump's Gold Card acts as a fast-track to lawful permanent residency (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Trump's Gold Card acts as a fast-track to lawful permanent residency (Will Oliver/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

How you can apply for a Trump Gold Card

Well, upon submitting an application, applicant's also have to pay a 'nonrefundable' processing fee of $15,000.

Next, they undergo an 'in-depth background check' and vetting process conducted by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

Applicants also have to attend a visa interview and 'submit any additional documents in a timely manner'.

If that isn't enough already, 'a $1 million gift upon completion of the individual's vetting is evidence that the individual will substantially benefit the United States'.

And this doesn't include any 'additional small fees to the US Department of State' which 'may apply depending on the applicant'..

Once approved, the Card is able to be used throughout all 50 states.

Or, like Nicki Minaj, you can become the president's 'number one fan' and hope to bag one 'free of charge'.

Minaj claims she bagged a card 'free of charge' (Win McNamee/Getty Images)
Minaj claims she bagged a card 'free of charge' (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

How Nicki Minaj bagged a Gold Card

Well, on January 28 the Trump Accounts Summit took place and who should arrive to show their support for the US President but his apparent 'number one fan' Nicki Minaj.

Alongside holding the POTUS' hand, the rapper launched into a defense of the president as well as declaring she won't back down from championing him.

Several hours later she took to Twitter to show off a Trump Gold Card, later adding: "Residency? Residency? The cope is coping. Finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak as per MY wonderful, gracious, charming President. Thanks to the petition. I wouldn’t have done it without you. Oh CitizenNIKA you are thee moment."

It follows Minaj speaking out on TikTok in 2024 saying she wasn't 'a citizen of America' after arriving in the US from Trinidad and Tobago when she was a little girl, as quoted by iHeart.

Despite her being 'an illegal immigrant' and previously opposing Trump's policies, clearly the tables have turned, Minaj claiming she even got the card 'free of charge'.

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