Rapper Nicki Minaj has ignited a firestorm of criticism after directing a homophobic slur at journalist Don Lemon over his coverage of a church protest in Minnesota. The 43-year-old musician took to X on Sunday to attack Lemon, 59, who is openly gay and married, following his livestream of a disruption at Cities Church in St. Paul.
In an all-caps post, Minaj wrote: 'DON 'C**K SUCKIN' LEMON IS DISGUSTING.' She continued her tirade, demanding Lemon be jailed and accusing him of targeting Christians. The protest, which saw demonstrators storm a Sunday service to condemn the alleged presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) leadership, was linked to ongoing demonstrations against the agency.
Lemon responded to the attack, telling TMZ: 'I'm not surprised Nicki Minaj does not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity.' Speaking on the 'I've Had It Podcast', he added: 'Nicki Minaj is not a Christian. She knows nothing about a Christian. What she is — is a grifter.' He also accused her of not caring about black or gay people, two of her key supporter groups.
The protest at Cities Church drew condemnation from federal officials. Attorney General Pam Bondi said she reassured the pastor that any attacks would be met with 'the full force of federal law,' while Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon confirmed protesters would be investigated under the FACE Act, which criminalises force or threats at places of worship. ICE also posted on social media, stating: 'Agitators aren't just targeting our officers. Now they're targeting churches, too… We won't be deterred.'
Lemon, who has been working as an independent journalist since his departure from CNN, interviewed protesters and church leaders during the incident. One churchgoer said: 'These people have come into our house and they've interrupted our worship. Everybody's gone home, their point has been proven worthless.'
