US President Donald Trump called rapper Nicki Minaj "respected" and "so hot" while introducing her at a White House luncheon in the Rose Garden on Monday.
Mr Trump highlighted the Trinidadian-born rapper during his speech. He praised her talent and support before asking her to stand up in front of the audience.
"We also have a woman who is so respected and so hot and such a great friend of... I don’t say conservative, I say of common sense," he said.
He added, "She's a fantastic person, and she's a woman that everybody respects. She's got real talent. Nicki Minaj. Nicki, stand up, please."
Videos of the remarks quickly went viral on social media. Some fans praised the comments while others criticized Mr Trump's choice of words during an official event.
After the event, Ms Minaj posted photos from the White House on her X account. She wrote in one of the posts, "Whoa!!!! #WhiteHouseBarbie with her favourite President of all time!!!"
She also shared videos from the luncheon, showing the moment Mr Trump introduced her.
This appearance at the White House is the latest in a series of public events that showcase the rapper's support for Mr Trump. Earlier this year, Premium Times reported that Mr Trump had praised Ms Minaj during a Black History Month event in Washington, D.C. He called her a talented performer and commented on her looks, mentioning her "beautiful" skin and long nails.
Earlier this year, Ms Minaj also attended the launch of the administration's "Trump Accounts" savings initiative for children. She referred to herself as "probably the President's number one fan." She supported Mr Trump's proposed "Gold Card" immigration program and said that criticism of her political views had only strengthened her support for him.
Her political views have changed over the years. In the past, she mostly stayed away from publicly backing political figures. Recently, she has spoken more about issues such as religious freedom, free speech, and her support for Mr Trump's policies.
Mr Trump's latest comments have sparked discussions online. Supporters found the exchange friendly and light-hearted. But critics said calling a female guest "so hot" at an official White House event was not right. These remarks have added to the growing attention on the relationship between the President and the Grammy-nominated rapper, who has been seen more often at White House events since Mr Trump's return to office.
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