The White House announced on Oct. 20 that Katie Zacharia had been dismissed following a brief five‑day tenure, citing a lack of alignment with the administration’s communication strategy. A spokesperson for the office said the decision was made to maintain continuity amid rising criticism of her performance.
On Oct. 25, Cheung streamed a clip from Air Force One to a mid‑term rally in Port Huron, Michigan, where Nicki Minaj praised President Trump’s business acumen. The 19‑minute clip, posted to X, highlighted Minaj’s assertion that Trump’s “tough” foreign‑policy stance and economic success made him a natural businessman.
Trump interrupted the rally to make a derisive joke about Minaj’s backside; the crowd erupted in cheers, and Minaj, visibly amused, laughed along. The president added that he had seen a “beautiful ass” before, sparking a flurry of memes online.
Political analysts on Capitol Hill called Cheung’s post a satirical stunt, noting that the White House has no precedent for appointing a pop star to a senior briefing role. The Associated Press reported that the joke has already trended on Twitter, with several commentators questioning the seriousness of the suggestion.
White House officials have yet to release an official statement, but a spokesperson confirmed that the administration will address the rumor in a briefing slated for Monday morning. Meanwhile, staffers attending the rally described the event as a surreal mix of politics, pop culture, and partisan theatrics, underscoring the escalating media circus surrounding the White House’s communications strategy.