Nicki Minaj turned down Ted Cruz’s desperate request to be photographed at the White House, leaving the senator chasing her down the hallway.
While Nicki Minaj showed up at the White House Trump Account event ready to take care of business, Ted Cruz had other plans today: fame.
The Texas senator and his staff ran down the hallways screaming her name, desperate for a photo opportunity that never came.
According to Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump adviser who manages Minaj’s schedule, the rapper is moving quickly into the Oval Office and doesn’t have time to accommodate every request she makes.
Nicki Minaj did take photos with staff and elected officials who respected her time, but Cruz didn’t get the official photo he wanted.
When the formal rejection happens, things get weird. Cruz’s team cornered Minaj as she left and took a photo as she left to try to make it look like they had seized the moment.
“We just don’t have time for Ted. Plus, from a brand perspective, it doesn’t look good to take pictures with Lyin’ Ted, so I’ve been taking care of my daughter,” Bruesewitz said.
Bruesewitz later explained on X that Minaj was “very friendly and gracious backstage with as many people as possible” and “took dozens of photos with fans.” The key word is fans. Cruz clearly didn’t make the cut.
Not to over exaggerate, but I’ve never seen anything like it. @tedcruz and his staff sprinted down the aisles, screaming “Nicki! Nicki! Nicki!” and begging Nicki Minaj for a photo. I told Ted we were in a hurry, we had to get to the White House and there was no time to stop… https://t.co/bEKgwCdeo4
— Alex Bruesewitz 🇺🇸 (@alexbruesewitz) May 24, 2026
The whole incident reveals a deeper picture of how some politicians operate around celebrities.
Brusewitz called the behavior “extremely creepy” and noted that the Senators’ team was not happy with him prioritizing Minaj’s schedule over her boss’s desire for a photo op.
“I will never accept any foreign policy advice from such a person,” Brusewitz added.
Cruz’s communications director tried to spin the truth by posting a grainy photo claiming everyone looked happy, but multiple witnesses at the event confirmed the senator actually chased Minaj down the hallway after being rejected.
This is not the move of someone who respects boundaries or knows how to handle professional situations gracefully.
The incident fits a pattern for Cruz, who has been desperately seeking celebrity approval of late.
He invited Kid Rock to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee that day and then released a video of their meeting just as he was giving the biggest interview of his career.
For those who position themselves as serious political figures, the desire for celebrity photos and endorsements sends an entirely different message.
Meena’s willingness to support Trump and his administration doesn’t mean she’s obligated to pose with every politician seeking relevance.
