Don Lemon Claps Back at Nicki Minaj Over Controversial Homophobic Post
A war of words has erupted between hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj and veteran journalist Don Lemon, stemming from a contentious news report in Minnesota. The conflict began over the weekend when Lemon, the former CNN anchor, was on the ground covering a protest in St. Paul. The demonstration took place outside of a church service attended by an acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Activists had gathered to confront the official regarding immigration policies, a scene that Lemon documented for his independent platform. However, the location of the confrontation—a place of worship—did not sit well with the “Super Freaky Girl” rapper. Minaj took to X to express her outrage at the journalist’s methods.
In a blistering, all-caps post, Minaj attacked Lemon’s character and demanded legal repercussions for his actions. “DON ‘C*** S*****’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!!” Minaj wrote to her millions of followers. She argued that Lemon’s coverage was a violation of religious sanctity.
Minaj continued her tirade by suggesting that Lemon was targeting Christianity specifically. “HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” she added. The aggressive rhetoric immediately caught the attention of social media users, sparking a debate about the boundaries of journalism and protest.
Lemon did not wait long to issue a rebuttal. He appeared on the “I’ve Had It Podcast” on January 19, where co-host Jennifer Welch read Minaj’s tweet aloud to him. Lemon, who has been working independently since his departure from cable news, used the opportunity to dismantle Minaj’s argument and attack her authenticity.
“Nicki Minaj is not a Christian. She knows nothing about a Christian,” Lemon stated bluntly during the podcast. He went on to characterize the rapper as someone who exploits her audience rather than serving them. “What she is — is a grifter,” he said.
Lemon’s criticism extended to how Minaj relates to her core demographic. “Nicki Minaj doesn’t care about black people. She doesn’t care about gay people,” Lemon asserted. He noted that these groups are historically her biggest supporters, yet he claimed she uses them merely for financial gain.
The journalist made it clear that he has no respect for her artistic contributions either. “If we were in the day where we…where we bought records, I would be burning Nicki Minaj’s records today,” he said. He expressed relief that he had never supported her career in the past.
“So, I’m so glad that I’ve never been a Nicki Minaj fan. I don’t know her music,” Lemon admitted. He finalized his takedown by labeling her with a term often used to describe someone desperate for validation from the opposition. “There’s nothing on my playlist that’s ever Nicki Minaj, and…there isn’t going to be because she is an ignorant pick me, and I choose not to pick her.”
Don Lemon has been navigating a new chapter in his career following his high-profile exit from CNN in April 2023. After seventeen years with the network, where he anchored Don Lemon Tonight and co-anchored CNN This Morning, he launched The Don Lemon Show. This independent project debuted on X and has allowed him to cover politics and culture without the constraints of a traditional corporate network.
He has also authored a memoir, This Is the Fire: What I Say to My Friends About Racism, which became a New York Times bestseller. Lemon has remained a polarizing but significant voice in media, often focusing on issues of race, s*****, and civil rights. His recent on-the-ground reporting in Minnesota highlights his return to field journalism.
Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, remains one of the most influential figures in the music industry. Often referred to as the “Queen of Rap,” she recently released her fifth studio album, Pink Friday 2, which served as a sequel to her breakthrough debut. The album featured collaborations with heavy hitters like Drake and J. Cole and was supported by a massive world tour that sold out arenas globally.
Beyond music, Minaj has ventured into various business sectors, including fragrances and fashion partnerships. She is also known for her fiercely loyal fanbase, known as the “Barbz,” who are notorious for their intense defense of the star on social media. While she has had minor voice acting roles in films like Ice Age: Continental Drift and The Angry Birds Movie 2, her primary focus remains her dominance in the hip-hop world.
Let us know if you think Don Lemon’s reporting crossed a line or if Nicki Minaj’s reaction was completely uncalled for in the comments.