Hochul tells Minaj to go offline after social media attack

Gov. Kathy Hochul urged rapper Nicki Minaj to spend less time on social media and more time away from Republican rallies on Wednesday. The remark came hours after Minaj posted a series of messages labeling the governor an "evil woman" and predicting she would face divine punishment.

The dispute marks a sharp turn in Minaj's political alignment. The musician previously supported Hochul during the 2018 lieutenant governor campaign. She has since become a vocal backer of former President Donald Trump and Republican candidates. Earlier this week, Minaj appeared alongside Trump at a rally in Michigan and encouraged young voters to support the Republican ticket.

Minaj's initial post argued that the Democratic Party should relinquish the governor's seat because Hochul's victory would cause them harm. "Downward spiral for her. She will not escape God's wrath. She did not denounce evil when she had the chance," the rapper wrote. In a follow-up message, she accused the governor of keeping "horrible company" and failing to condemn specific wrongdoing.

Hochul addressed the comments while campaigning in Albany. She suggested that Minaj's frequent attendance at Trump events was distorting her perspective. "I think she should ought to get outside and get offline a little more. And stop going to Trump rallies because it's poisoning your mind," Hochul told reporters.

The exchange occurs in the closing days of the gubernatorial race between Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman. Recent polling indicates Hochul holds a double-digit lead. Blakeman is currently on a statewide tour aimed at mobilizing Republican voters before the election.

Election Day remains the next major milestone for both campaigns. Hochul continued her schedule in Albany, while Blakeman focused his efforts on energizing the base in various districts across the state.