Hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj has deactivated her primary Instagram account in the wake of a fierce public backlash against her surprise appearance and political comments at a major conservative conference in the United States.
Surprise Appearance Sparks Controversy
The 43-year-old rapper made an unannounced appearance on Sunday 25 December 2025, the final day of the Turning Point USA AmericaFest 2026 summit. During a conversation with the organisation's leader, Erika Kirk, Minaj expressed newfound "respect and admiration" for former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
In remarks that stunned many of her followers, the Grammy-winner described Trump as "handsome" and "dashing," and praised the administration for having "heart and soul." She stated she was tired of being "pushed around" and suggested that expressing different ideas is now controversial because "people are no longer using their minds."
Swift Fan Reaction and Social Media Exit
The reaction from Minaj's fanbase was immediate and overwhelmingly negative. By Wednesday, her main Instagram profile displayed the message: "Sorry, this page isn't available." It is noted, however, that the artist has temporarily left the platform before, having also deactivated her account in October 2025. Her account on the social media platform X remains active.
Many fans took to social media to voice their disappointment, with some accusing the Trinidadian-born rapper of being influenced by money. "If you needed money this badly, you should have just said that," one user wrote on X. Others declared her career "done" for "picking the wrong side."
A Stark Reversal on Previous Stance
Minaj's vocal support for Trump marks a significant departure from her previous public stance. In 2018, she was among the celebrities condemning his zero-tolerance immigration policy that led to family separations at the US-Mexico border. Sharing her own story of arriving in America as a child, she described herself as an "illegal immigrant" at the time and pleaded, "Please stop this."
Her lyrics have also previously referenced Trump critically, notably in a line interpreted as a takedown of his migrant deportation rhetoric. Erika Kirk, who leads Turning Point USA following the assassination of her husband Charlie Kirk in September 2025, thanked Minaj for being "courageous" in the face of industry backlash. To this, Minaj replied dismissively, "We don't even think about them," with Kirk adding, "We're too busy building."
The Independent has contacted a representative for Nicki Minaj for comment regarding her Instagram deactivation and the ongoing fan reaction.
