Nicki Minaj is facing criticism after launching a public attack on journalist Don Lemon, sparked by his coverage of an anti-ICE protest at a Minnesota church, a dispute that quickly escalated into personal insults, homophobic language, and political sparring.
The conflict unfolded after Lemon livestreamed a protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul on Jan. 18, where demonstrators disrupted a worship service over allegations that one of the church’s pastors works with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The claims have not been independently verified, and the Department of Homeland Security has declined to comment.
Minaj’s Reaction Goes Nuclear
Minaj responded the following day with a series of posts on X, blasting Lemon and calling for his arrest. In one all-caps message, she accused him of targeting Christianity and demanded he be jailed, asserting he would not have acted similarly in another religious space.
Her commentary quickly veered into explicitly homophobic territory. Minaj used a slur to describe Lemon, later doubling down by stating she chose the wording intentionally. In follow-up posts, she suggested outrage over her language only proved her point and warned critics that more backlash was coming.
The posts drew swift condemnation online, with many calling out the language as harmful and unnecessary, particularly given Lemon’s long-standing visibility as an openly gay journalist.
Lemon Fires Back
Lemon addressed Minaj’s comments later that day in a video shared on Instagram, where he described her remarks as “unhinged” and “homophobic.” His response, however, did not stop there.
The former CNN anchor pushed back forcefully, questioning Minaj’s public standing while raising issues related to her personal life. Lemon referenced the rapper’s citizenship status, Minaj was born in Trinidad and Tobago and has previously said she is not a U.S. citizen, and mentioned that her husband, Kenneth Petty, is a registered Level 2 sex offender.
“You don’t get to lecture me,” Lemon said in the video, telling Minaj to redirect her energy elsewhere and dismissing her commentary as attention-seeking.
Inside the Church Protest
Lemon was one of several journalists on-site during the protest, which unfolded amid heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Video from the scene showed demonstrators entering the church mid-service, confronting leadership and accusing the institution of enabling ICE operations.
Lead Pastor Jonathan Parnell condemned the interruption, calling it inappropriate and disrespectful to congregants. Protesters, however, defended the action as necessary. Civil rights attorney and activist Nekima Levy Armstrong told Lemon the protest was about accountability, arguing that faith spaces should not shield individuals accused of contributing to immigration raids.
The demonstration occurred less than two weeks after an ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis on Jan. 7, an incident that intensified scrutiny of federal enforcement practices in the region.
Politics, Media, and a Growing Divide
The clash arrives as Minaj has increasingly aligned herself with conservative political figures and causes. In recent months, she has publicly supported President Donald Trump’s administration and collaborated with U.N. Ambassador Mike Waltz to speak about alleged anti-Christian violence in Nigeria, claims that Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has rejected.
Lemon, meanwhile, has continued his media career following his 2023 exit from CNN, hosting “The Don Lemon Show” under his independent media company. Known for his direct approach, Lemon has remained outspoken on social justice issues, particularly those affecting LGBTQ+ communities and marginalized groups.
What began as coverage of a protest has now morphed into a broader culture war flashpoint, touching on religion, immigration, sexuality, and political identity, with no signs that either side is backing down.
