It's one question President Obama will probably not have to worry about being asked during Tuesday's presidential debate. But when he called in to Miami's Y100 "The Yo Show" he was put on the spot:
"Can you repair the relationship with Mariah Carey and Nikki Minaj on 'American Idol'?" radio show host Michael Yo asked Obama on air.
The on-set tensions between the two new judges on "American Idol" have been constant gossip fodder since the new season of the talent show began contestant auditions. Those tensions reached a new high recently when Minaj unleashed an expletive-laden rant at Carey during a taping. Later, Carey countered with a claim -- at least according to Barbara Walters -- that Minaj had threatened to "shoot" her. Minaj denies the claim.
Ever the diplomat, Obama responded in true presidential fashion. "I think that they are going to be able to sort it out, I am confident," the president said. "I'm all about bringing people together, working for the same cause, I think both outstanding artists are going to be able to make sure that they're moving forward and not going backwards."
Hoping for a more partisan answer, Yo asked the president whether he has a favorite between the two performers. "Mariah, she's actually done some events for us. I've gotten to know her and Nick (Cannon), she's a wonderful lady. Nicki I don't know, but I've got her on my iPod."
Listen to the interview below:
