Topics: Celebrity, Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump, Nicki Minaj, US News, Erika Kirk
Outraged former fans of Nicki Minaj are signing a petition to have the rapper ‘deported’ following her controversial interview with Erika Kirk.
The ‘Starships’ rapper was a surprise guest at the Turning Point USA event in Phoenix, Arizona on December 21, where she shared the stage with Erika Kirk, the widow of right-wing social media personality Charlie Kirk.
The move was surprising as Minaj had previously shown support for the LGBTQ+ community and had spoken about being an 'illegal' immigrant to the US.
Given the ideologies of Trump and Kirk, many fans feel Minaj’s MAGA support contradicts this. The Trump administration has enacted policies and executive orders aimed at stopping immigration to the US. They are also focused on mass deportations, re-examining green cards, and increasing border enforcement. There have also been executive orders targeting trans people.
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A Change.org petition, named ‘Deport Nicki Minaj to Trinidad’, has surpassed 31,000 signatures in just a few days. Minaj was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to the US as a child.
Minaj previously wrote on Instagram in 2018 that she came to the US as an ‘illegal immigrant at five years old’, People reports.
In 2024, during a TikTok Live, Minaj reportedly said she is not a US citizen.
“I was born on a beautiful island called Trinidad and Tobago,” she said. “But I’ve been in the States for many years. You would think that with the millions of dollars that I’ve paid in taxes to this country that I would have been given an honorary citizenship many, many, many thousands of years ago.”
The petition claims that Minaj’s recent conduct is ‘a matter of public concern’ and points to her political stances and public conduct as examples.
UNILAD has contacted Minaj's representatives for comment.
"Nicki Minaj's actions and words have taken a turn that has left many of her supporters and those who once found solace in her music feeling deeply betrayed," the petition reads.
"Deporting Nicki Minaj back to Trinidad would serve as a reminder that public figures need to be accountable for their words and the broader impact they have on diverse communities. It's not just about one person's fall from grace; it's about holding everyone to a standard of compassion and consistency, especially when they possess significant influence."
Minaj also faced backlash after she appeared to misspeak while arguing that there were many conservative role models for young men to look up to.
Speaking to the crowd, Minaj also made an inappropriate use of the word ‘assassin’ to describe the vice president while speaking to Kirk, whose husband was assassinated in September.
Minaj, 43, said: "Dear young men, you have amazing role models, like our handsome dashing president. And you have amazing role models like the assassin, JD Vance, our vice president - and when I say that..."
The pop star suddenly stopped after realizing what she had just said and falls silent for a few seconds before Kirk interjects.
"Trust me, there's nothing new under the sun that I have not heard, so you're fine," the 37-year-old widow said. "[Speaking directly to Minaj about what just happened] Yes, we did, I love you; I love you."
As Minaj appeared visibly upset by what she had just said, Kirk continued: "You have to laugh about it. Truly, I have been called every single thing, and you know what God is so good, you let it roll right off your back - and this is what's so beautiful about this moment, because if the internet wants to clip it, who cares?”
