President Donald Trump’s administration is bringing some Hollywood star power — and a familiar reality television formula — to Washington for a million-dollar small-business showdown.
The Small Business Administration announced that rapper Nicki Minaj will help judge its live Million Dollar Pitch Competition on Sept. 18 alongside real estate investor Grant Cardone and Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia. Actor Dean Cain, best known for playing Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, will host the event.
Five American manufacturers will pitch their businesses before the celebrity panel for a share of a $1 million prize pool funded by Clover Network, Inc., according to Fox News Digital.
The winner will receive $400,000, while the remaining finalists will collect prizes ranging from $75,000 to $250,000. That means no company will walk away empty-handed.
The competition carries unmistakable echoes of Trump’s hit television series The Apprentice, which placed aspiring business leaders through a series of challenges as they competed for a job with the Trump Organization. Trump hosted the show for 14 seasons before launching his political career.
Minaj enthusiastically promoted her latest partnership with the Trump administration after the lineup was announced.
“This is a major, MAJOR KEY,” Minaj wrote on social media. “Sooooooooooo looking forward to this!!! Imagine being a part of the Trump Administration’s initiative to support small businesses. Let’s GO!!!!!!!!!!”
The Grammy-nominated rapper has emerged as one of Trump’s most prominent celebrity supporters. Earlier this year, she described herself as likely the president’s “number one fan” and declared that her support was “not going to change.”
Trump returned the praise during a White House event in July.
“We also have a woman that is so respected and so hot and so great and such a great friend of — I don’t say conservative, I say of common sense,” Trump said while introducing Minaj.
“She’s a fantastic person, and she’s a woman that’s respected by everybody, and she’s got real talent,” he added.
Minaj has built a business portfolio extending beyond music into fashion, beauty, fragrances and consumer products. Cardone manages a multibillion-dollar real estate portfolio, while Gebbia was appointed by Trump in 2025 to serve as the country’s first chief design officer.
The five finalists are Maine defense technology company Compotech, Inc.; Georgia metalworking machinery manufacturer Winton Machine; Iowa plastic mold manufacturer Plas-Tech Tooling; Wyoming pressure-vessel manufacturer Red River; and California machinery manufacturer VetPowered LLC.
According to the SBA, the companies were evaluated on their ability to strengthen American competitiveness, create quality jobs, demonstrate industry innovation and show that they were ready to execute their expansion plans.
“Great American entrepreneurs themselves, Nicki Minaj, Grant Cardone, Joe Gebbia, and Dean Cain will only add to the excitement of this historic celebration of free enterprise,” SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler said.
The competition is part of the Trump administration’s Freedom 250 initiative celebrating America’s 250th anniversary and the country’s history of entrepreneurship.
“Their presence will be invaluable in highlighting the unique and inspiring stories of the five finalists competing for $1 million in growth capital,” Loeffler added, “and the importance of Main Street businesses in powering American strength.”
