Nicki Minaj Defends Praising Trump After He Threatens Military Action in Nigeria
Rapper Nicki Minaj has defended herself after many people criticized her for praising former U.S. President Donald Trump over his comments on the reported killing of Christians in Nigeria. Trump recently claimed that Christians in Nigeria are facing serious danger and suggested that the United States may consider taking military action if the Nigerian government does not act.
Trump made his statement on his social platform Truth Social, saying Nigeria is “facing an existential threat” and accusing “radical Islamists” of killing thousands of Christians. He added that the United States could stop all aid to Nigeria and “go in guns-a-blazing” if the attacks continue. He also said he had instructed U.S. officials to prepare for possible action, though Nigeria is a sovereign nation and any military operation would require agreement between both countries.
Nicki Minaj, who has openly spoken about her Christian faith many times, shared Trump’s post on her X account and said it gave her a “deep sense of gratitude.” She said that no one should be punished or harmed because of their religion, and she thanked Trump for addressing the issue. Minaj also asked people to pray for Christians around the world who may be facing violence.
However, her reaction sparked strong criticism online. Some of her fans accused her of supporting Trump without understanding the political situation in Nigeria. One fan said that aligning with Trump is harmful, especially for her LGBTQ+ fans who fear discrimination. In response, Minaj insisted that she is speaking up for people who are being killed and said it should not turn into a debate about sexuality. She said she supports her LGBTQ+ fans just as she supports persecuted Christians.
Nigeria is the most populated country in Africa, with more than 230 million people according to the CIA World Factbook. The country has a large Muslim population and a large Christian population. Although there are attacks in some communities, reports from the Associated Press say that both Christians and Muslims have been victims of violence depending on the region and situation. The violence is often linked to armed groups, bandits, and long-standing conflicts rather than only religion.
Some U.S. politicians, including Senator Ted Cruz, have argued that Christians in Nigeria are facing “genocide.” But Nigerian officials rejected Trump’s comments, saying that military action cannot be carried out without the agreement of the Nigerian government. A spokesperson for Nigerian President Bola Tinubu said that Trump’s approach may be his way of pushing for discussions, but stressed that Nigeria remains a sovereign nation and will work with the U.S. through proper diplomatic channels.
President Tinubu has also rejected the label of Nigeria being a “country of particular concern,” saying his government is committed to protecting people of all faiths. He added that Nigeria will continue working with international partners to improve security and reduce violence.
The discussion continues to raise debate both in the U.S. and Nigeria, with some praising Minaj for showing concern and others saying she should learn more about the issue before commenting.
