Nicki Minaj is facing a fresh wave of backlash—this time far removed from music—after her recent embrace of MAGA politics ignited a viral online campaign questioning her citizenship and even calling for her deportation.
The controversy erupted after the rapper appeared at a Turning Point USA event and publicly aligned herself with conservative figures, prompting intense reactions across social media. Almost immediately, critics began circulating claims that Minaj is an undocumented immigrant who should be deported to Trinidad and Tobago, where she was born. The accusations spread rapidly, despite Minaj being a fixture of American pop culture for well over a decade.
As speculation gained traction, TikTok creator Joseph Anthony Redden, known online as The Older Millennial, stepped in to debunk the claims. Redden explained that Minaj moved to the United States at age five to join her mother, who was already legally residing in the country and later became a naturalized citizen. According to Redden, Minaj followed the legal process and is herself a naturalized U.S. citizen.
“She didn’t sneak in, she didn’t overstay a visa, and she didn’t cut corners,” Redden said, pushing back against what he described as deliberate misinformation. He questioned the motives behind the rumors, suggesting the outrage had less to do with immigration law and more to do with politics.
The allegations appear to trace back to political commentator Josh Green, who claimed Minaj was undocumented and suggested her recent MAGA appearances were motivated by financial self-preservation rather than ideology. Green alleged that Minaj was attempting to shield her assets amid an ongoing legal dispute tied to her husband, Kenneth Petty.
That dispute stems from a 2019 incident in Germany, where Petty allegedly assaulted security guard Thomas Weidenmuller backstage during one of Minaj’s concerts. A Los Angeles judge later ordered the couple to pay Weidenmuller approximately $503,000 in damages. Court filings indicate that the amount remains unpaid, prompting Weidenmuller’s legal team to seek enforcement measures that could include forcing the sale of Minaj’s Hidden Hills mansion.
As the financial dispute resurfaced, calls for Minaj’s deportation escalated beyond social media. A Change.org petition demanding her removal from the United States began circulating, citing her political views and controversial past statements as justification. The petition argues that Minaj has alienated parts of her fanbase, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community, and accuses her of abandoning values she once appeared to support.
The uproar underscores how Minaj’s political pivot has placed her under an entirely new level of scrutiny. By stepping into the political spotlight, she has become a lightning rod for outrage, misinformation, and online activism. Whether the backlash will have lasting consequences remains to be seen, but for now, the facts are clear: Nicki Minaj is a U.S. citizen, and the deportation calls are rooted in controversy—not law.
