International rap superstar Nicki Minaj has ignited a firestorm on social media by directing a homophobic insult at veteran journalist Don Lemon. The outburst followed Lemon's live coverage of a protest that interrupted a church service in Minnesota, USA.
The Incident at Cities Church
The controversy stems from events that unfolded on Sunday at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. A group of demonstrators entered the church during a Sunday worship service. Their protest was aimed at challenging the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and highlighting the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good.
Good was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month during a federal enforcement operation in the Minneapolis area. This shooting and related immigration activities have triggered widespread protests and increased tensions locally.
Minaj's Explosive Reaction and Lemon's Defense
Don Lemon, the former CNN anchor turned independent journalist, was on-site livestreaming the confrontation between protesters and churchgoers. His coverage drew immediate criticism from conservative circles, including some Department of Justice officials, who called for legal action over the disruption of worship.
Nicki Minaj then weighed in forcefully on the platform X. She wrote in capital letters, “DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING,” and added, “HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!”
In response to his critics, Lemon defended his professional role. He stated that he was reporting on the events in a journalistic capacity and emphasized that reporting on protests is protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Broolitical and Legal Repercussions
The incident has escalated beyond social media, attracting attention at the highest levels of government. The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division has confirmed it is investigating whether federal laws against interfering with worship were violated.
Adding to the political dimension, President Donald Trump's White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, issued a statement. She said the administration "will not tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places of worship" and noted the Department of Justice had launched a full investigation.
Nicki Minaj's comments have amplified a complex national conversation. The debate intertwines issues of:
- Media ethics and journalistic freedom.
- Protests against federal immigration enforcement.
- The appropriate role of public figures in responding to volatile news events.
- The protection of religious spaces.
The situation remains developing as investigations proceed and public figures continue to react.
