Nicki Minaj sparked debate with her politically-minded verse on the remix to “Mercy.” Now President Obama himself is speaking out about the Young Money rapper’s bars backing Mitt Romney.

“I’m a Republican, voting for Mitt Romney/ You lazy bitches is fu**in’ up the economy,” rhymes Nicki on the cut off Lil Wayne’s Dedication 4 mixtape.

While some interpreted it as an endorsement of the Republican candidate, Obama viewed it as her playing a character. “I’m not sure that’s actually what happened,” he said during an interview with Power 95.3’s “Obie and Lil Shawn Morning Show.” “I think she had a song on there, a little rap that said that, but she likes to play different characters, so I don’t know what’s going on there.”

Nicki thanked the President for getting her. “Ha! Thank you for understanding my creative humor & sarcasm Mr. President, the smart ones always do… *sends love & support* @BarackObama,” she tweeted.

She was also flattered that he would take the time to react to the rap. “Awesome! Now I can tell my grandchildren that the 1st black President of the United States took the time to address a Nicki Minaj question.”

While his daughters Sasha and Malia don’t listen to Nicki’s music, the First Couple does have hip-hop on their playlists. “We have a nice hip-hop collection on our iPods,” said Obama.