Nicki Minaj has broken her silence after deleting her Instagram account amid backlash over her support for conservative figures. The 43-year-old rapper returned to social media in 2026 with a scathing post directed at former CNN journalist Don Lemon.
Minaj's recent political shift, including appearances at a Turning Point USA event and praise for Donald Trump and JD Vance, alienated many fans who remembered her previous outspoken criticism of Trump. The backlash intensified after she deactivated her Instagram, with petitions calling for her deportation to Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born.
Minaj has previously admitted to entering the US illegally at age five and stated in a TikTok live that she never officially became a US citizen. However, she holds a green card, granting permanent residency, making deportation petitions unlikely to succeed.
In her post on X, Minaj wrote: “DON ‘C**K SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” The outburst appeared to respond to Lemon's interview of a Minneapolis pastor, during which anti-ICE protesters stormed the church. Lemon has defended his actions as journalism, stating he has no affiliations with the protesters.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi announced on X that the Justice Department is investigating the incident for potential FACE Act violations. She added: “I just spoke to the Pastor in Minnesota whose church was targeted. Attacks against law enforcement and the intimidation of Christians are being met with the full force of federal law.”
