Nicki Minaj to judge Trump administration’s business pitch competition

Nicki Minaj is joining the judging panel for a new business competition backed by the Trump administration.

The rapper will serve as one of four judges for the Small Business Administration’s Million Dollar Pitch Competition, a live event scheduled for September 18 in Washington, D.C., alongside private equity investor Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder and current U.S. Chief Design Officer Joe Gebbia.

Former Supermanactor Dean Cain will host the event.

Announced by the SBA on August 31, the competition is styled similarly to Shark Tankand echoes the format of Trump’s earlier reality series The Apprentice, five small-business finalists will pitch their companies before the judging panel, competing for a share of $1 million in prize money, with every finalist guaranteed some payout.

The prize pool breaks down as $400,000 for first place, $250,000 for second, $150,000 for third, $125,000 for fourth and $75,000 for fifth.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler framed the event as part of the country’s broader 250th anniversary celebrations, saying in a statement, “As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, the SBA is celebrating America’s legacy of free enterprise through the Million Dollar Pitch Competition, a historic live event showcasing the essential contributions of America’s small businesses.”

Minaj announced her involvement on X, writing, “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!!!!!!!!!!”

The judging role continues Minaj’s increasingly public alignment with the administration over the past year, she previously appeared alongside President Trump at the Treasury Department’s Trump Accounts Summit in January, where she called herself his “No. 1 fan.”

The five finalists in the competition represent businesses in defense technology, metalworking machinery, plastics manufacturing and other industrial sectors, selected through a national application process earlier this year.