Nicki Minaj just turned the culture war on its head. In a moment no one saw coming, the rapper—known for her outspoken personality and devoted LGBTQ+ fanbase—stunned the crowd at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest with a series of comments that many have branded “openly transphobic.” The 43-year-old star told a cheering audience, “If you’re born a boy, be a boy. There’s nothing wrong with being a boy.”
The remarks instantly ignited a firestorm online, sparking fierce backlash from fans, politicians, and activists who accused Minaj of betraying the very community that helped make her a global icon. Critics flooded X (formerly Twitter), calling her comments “dangerous,” “out of touch,” and “a slap in the face to her LGBTQ supporters.” One viral post read: “She built her career on the backs of queer fans—and now she’s pushing MAGA talking points?”
But Minaj’s defenders have been equally loud. Right-wing commentators hailed her as a “truth-teller,” claiming she’s being unfairly targeted for “refusing to bend to woke ideology.” Supporters praised her for what they see as “standing up for common sense and faith,” with one post declaring, “Nicki’s just saying God made you perfect—what’s wrong with that?”
Her sudden alignment with conservative politics has shocked longtime fans. Once celebrated as a trailblazer for female empowerment and LGBTQ acceptance, Minaj has recently embraced more polarizing views—criticizing California Governor Gavin Newsom (“Newscum,” as she called him) and publicly supporting Trump-aligned figures.
And just when things couldn’t get more awkward, Minaj delivered one of the most cringe-inducing moments of the night. During a live onstage conversation with Erika Kirk—the widow of slain conservative leader Charlie Kirk—Minaj mistakenly referred to Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin.” Gasps rippled through the audience. Realizing her blunder, the rapper covered her mouth in shock while Kirk gracefully diffused the tension, telling her, “You’re fine, trust me—I’ve heard it all.”
Despite the uproar, Minaj remains unshaken. She doubled down before leaving the stage, telling fans, “I’m not going to back down ever again.” Whether this is her political awakening or a career meltdown, one thing’s for sure—Nicki Minaj has just entered an entirely new era, and the fallout is far from over.
