Nicki Minaj joins Trump administration’s small business pitch competition as judge

The rapper will serve on the panel for the SBA’s “Million Dollar Pitch Competition” alongside business executives and other celebrities.

Nicki Minaj’s public alignment with Donald Trump is taking a new form next month, this time as a judge rather than just a vocal supporter.

According to Fox News Digital, first reported by TMZ, Minaj has been named to the judging panel for the Trump administration’s “Million Dollar Pitch Competition,” a Small Business Administration event scheduled for Sept. 18. The live finale will bring five small-business finalists before a celebrity-backed panel as they compete for growth capital.

The U.S. Small Business Administration confirmed the lineup in an Aug. 31 announcement, naming Minaj alongside private-equity executive Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia as judges. Actor Dean Cain will host the event.

The competition is part of the SBA’s Freedom 250 initiative, which is tied to the United States’ 250th anniversary. According to the agency, the event is designed to spotlight entrepreneurs and small businesses viewed as contributing to American competitiveness, economic growth and job creation.

Fox News Digital, which first reported the celebrity panel, described the contest as carrying the energy of Trump’s former reality series, “The Apprentice.” The format is also comparable to “Shark Tank,” with entrepreneurs pitching their businesses before a panel of judges.

This is a major, MAJOR KEY 🔑.
Sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!!
Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!! 🎀 https://t.co/ykXLkjQlag— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) August 31, 2026

The five finalists represent businesses involved in defense technology, metalworking machinery, plastic manufacturing, pressure vessels and machinery manufacturing. They include Compotech Inc. of Maine, Winton Machine of Georgia, Plas-Tech Tooling of Iowa, Red River of Wyoming and VetPowered LLC of California.

There is money attached to every finalist’s appearance. The first-place winner will receive $400,000, followed by $250,000 for second place, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $75,000 for fifth. The combined awards total $1 million.

Minaj has also publicly embraced the opportunity. In a post shared after the announcement, she called it a “major, MAJOR KEY” and said she was looking forward to being part of the administration’s initiative supporting small businesses.