Hochul tells Minaj to get offline

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul maintains a double-digit lead in recent polling as she heads into the final days of the gubernatorial race. The lead stands despite a new public clash with rapper Nicki Minaj, who has emerged as a vocal backer of President Donald Trump and other Republican candidates.

The dispute began when Minaj posted a message on social media calling Hochul an evil woman. Minaj argued that the Democratic Party should forfeit the seat because a Hochul victory would cause a downward spiral for the party. She also accused the governor of keeping horrible company and failing to condemn wrongdoing when she had the chance.

Hochul reacted to the comments while campaigning in Albany on Wednesday. She told reporters that she thinks Minaj ought to get outside and get offline a little more. Hochul suggested that attending Trump rallies is poisoning the musician's mind.

Minaj has urged young voters to vote red in the upcoming election. The dynamic is complicated by Minaj's history with the governor, as the rapper previously endorsed Hochul during the 2018 lieutenant governor campaign. Earlier this week, Minaj appeared with Trump at a rally in Michigan.

The exchange occurs as Hochul and Republican challenger Bruce Blakeman make their final push toward Election Day. Hochul was in Albany on Wednesday, while Blakeman continued a statewide tour aimed at energizing Republican voters. The campaign is entering its last phase with both candidates focused on voter turnout.

Minaj continued her criticism in a lengthy follow-up post. She reiterated her belief that Hochul did not denounce evil when she had the opportunity. The governor's response marks one of the more unusual moments in the current campaign cycle.