Nicki Minaj has launched a fierce public attack on journalist Don Lemon following his reporting on a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota, escalating a social media dispute that has since drawn wider political and cultural attention.
The controversy stems from a livestream Lemon shared last week while covering a demonstration at Cities Church in St Paul. Protesters interrupted a service to object to the alleged involvement of one of the church’s pastors, David Easterwood, with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to multiple US media reports, Easterwood serves as the acting director of ICE’s Saint Paul Field Office, a role that prompted activists to accuse the church of harbouring an official linked to immigration enforcement operations in the region.
Lemon’s footage showed demonstrators chanting “ICE out” inside the church and vowing to “disrupt business as usual” until accountability was addressed. One protester, identifying herself as a reverend, lawyer and activist, said the action was driven by anger over the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman reportedly killed by an ICE agent earlier this month. The protester argued that a place of worship could not claim moral authority while hosting a figure associated with immigration raids and violence.
Minaj responded to Lemon’s coverage on X, posting a series of highly offensive remarks directed at the journalist and sharing images intended to mock him. Her comments prompted immediate backlash, particularly because they included derogatory language widely interpreted as homophobic.
Lemon, who is openly gay, condemned the posts and questioned Minaj’s understanding of journalistic practice. In comments to US outlets, he accused the rapper of ignorance and bigotry, urging her to reflect before commenting on matters he described as beyond her grasp. The exchange intensified when Minaj doubled down, claiming her phrasing was deliberate and designed to provoke further attention to what she characterised as Lemon’s “despicable behaviour”.
The dispute has unfolded against a backdrop of mounting controversy for Minaj. Last month, she appeared unexpectedly at a Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, where she spoke with the organisation’s co-founder, Erika Kirk. During that appearance, Minaj expressed admiration for former US president Donald Trump and reiterated her criticisms of California governor Gavin Newsom. Although she initially dismissed criticism of the appearance, she later deactivated her Instagram account.
Separately, several online petitions calling for Minaj’s deportation from the United States have gained traction. The Trinidad-born rapper moved to the US as a child, and reports indicate that petitions on Change.org have attracted more than 120,000 signatures, underscoring the polarisation surrounding her recent public statements.
Key Figures and Roles
| Name | Role/Description | Relevance to Dispute |
|---|---|---|
| Nicki Minaj | Rapper and public figure | Criticised Lemon’s protest coverage |
| Don Lemon | Independent journalist, former CNN anchor | Reported on the Cities Church protest |
| David Easterwood | Pastor at Cities Church; ICE official | Central to protesters’ objections |
| Renee Good | Minnesota resident fatally shot by ICE agent | Case cited by activists during the protest |
As the row continues to reverberate online, it highlights the volatile intersection of celebrity commentary, journalism, and deeply contentious debates over immigration enforcement in the United States.