Nicki Minaj Sparks Backlash After Calling Don Lemon a Homophobic Slur Over Minnesota Church Incident

Okay, let me tell you, things are getting messy over in the celebrity world. Nicki Minaj is facing serious backlash right now after a really aggressive online attack on journalist Don Lemon. It all started when Lemon reported on an incident at a church in Minnesota, and Minaj responded on X – formerly known as Twitter – with some incredibly harsh language, including a homophobic slur. It’s a pretty ugly situation, and she’s getting a lot of heat for it. As a critic, I’m less concerned with the initial reporting and more with the use of such offensive language by a public figure.

On Sunday, the rapper known as the ‘Queen of Rap’ strongly criticized Don Lemon’s reporting in a heated online post. She used offensive language, writing, “DON LEMON IS DISGUSTING,” and specifically targeted his sexual orientation. Lemon is openly gay and married to real estate agent Tim Malone, having wed in 2024.

Nicki Minaj continued to express her outrage, even calling for the journalist to be arrested. In a post to her millions of followers, she wrote, “HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” Her frustration seems to come from her feeling that the church service should have been a private, sacred space, free from media attention or political protests.

The controversy began with a livestream by a person named Lemon from Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lemon was recording a group of protesters who had disrupted their Sunday service to express their disapproval of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating in the state.

You could feel the stress at the church, with news reports suggesting the pastor may be connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Protesters interrupted the service to call for immigration agents to leave town right away. The demonstration was also sparked by a recent, upsetting incident involving the police.

Demonstrators were protesting the death of Renee Good, a member of the community who was recently shot and killed. Reports indicate that ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Good during a federal operation earlier this month. The situation was highly charged, bringing together issues of faith, law enforcement, and loss, and journalist Lemon was there to report on it for his viewers.

Don Lemon, now working as an independent journalist, didn’t seem fazed by Nicki Minaj’s critical comments. He told TMZ he doubted she fully understood the situation, saying, “I’m not surprised Nicki Minaj doesn’t understand journalism and is commenting on things she doesn’t have the expertise to handle.”

He took his criticism a step further, suggesting the music superstar is seeking approval from others. Lemon then compared her post to that of a “Pick Me” Doll, a term used to describe a woman who tries to stand out by claiming she’s different from other women, often to gain male attention and validation.

As a film buff, I’ve been following this story about the protest at the church, and it’s really escalated. It’s now gotten the attention of the White House! Karoline Leavitt, President Trump’s Press Secretary, put out a statement saying the President strongly condemns the disruption and won’t stand for anyone intimidating or harassing Christians while they’re at church. It’s definitely become a bigger political issue than I initially thought.

Leavitt also stated that the Department of Justice is now fully investigating what she called a deeply troubling event. This action supports the administration’s commitment to safeguarding religious organizations. It also demonstrates a widening gap between how federal authorities and local activists approach these issues.

It’s not a shock to many of her fans that Nicki Minaj is defending the church and siding with the current administration’s views. Throughout Donald Trump’s presidency, the rapper has become more and more open about her support for him and the MAGA movement, and her political opinions often spark discussion among her wide range of followers.

As a huge music fan, I’ve always been impressed by Nicki Minaj – she’s truly a force in the industry. I just read she wrapped up her Pink Friday 2 World Tour, which was apparently a massive success, selling out arenas everywhere! It was all in support of her latest album, Pink Friday 2, and it’s cool how she went back to the vibe and style that made her first album so iconic.

In addition to her music, Nicki Minaj has successfully built a business empire with ventures like perfumes and fashion collaborations. She’s also lent her voice to popular animated movies, including the Ice Age and Angry Birds series. Minaj is famous for her incredibly dedicated fans, called the “Barbz,” who are quick to support her online.

I’ve been following Don Lemon’s career shift with a lot of interest. After years as a familiar face on CNN, he’s really reinvented himself as a digital journalist. Since leaving CNN in 2023, he’s started his own show, The Don Lemon Show, right on X. What’s interesting is he’s promising a more raw, unfiltered approach to news and interviews, free from the usual restrictions of big media companies. It’s a bold move, and I’m curious to see how it plays out.

By working independently, Lemon is now able to report on sensitive subjects in a more personal and straightforward way. He’s been concentrating on issues like free speech and cultural trends, frequently finding himself at the center of national discussions. His recent disagreement with Minaj highlights the kinds of public clashes that are common in today’s online media world.

Things are still strained in St. Paul while authorities investigate the church protest. At the same time, a public dispute between a famous musician and a reporter is drawing attention to the complicated relationship between celebrities, politics, and a free press. Neither of them appears willing to compromise.

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2026-01-19 22:15