Nicki Minaj found herself at the centre of online backlash after the 68th Grammy Awards when host Trevor Noah joked about her absence from the event. Noah, hosting the Grammys for the sixth and final time, commented during his opening monologue, staging a mock Donald Trump scene and saying that Minaj was “still at the White House with Donald Trump discussing very important issues.” The joke referenced Minaj’s recent public support for the former U.S. president, which has been widely discussed online.
The joke followed Nicki Minaj’s recent public displays of support for Trump. In a TikTok video, the rapper introduced him by saying, “Hello guys, I’m with my favorite President. The best of all times,” a compliment Trump returned by calling her the “Queen of Rap.” Minaj later shared a photo of what she called “Trump’s Gold Card” and described herself as the president’s “No. 1 fan,” adding, “The hate or what people have to say, it does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.” Despite her commercial success, Minaj has been nominated 12 times at the Grammys but has never won, with her most recent nomination coming in 2024 for Barbie World from the Barbie film.
Shortly after the Grammys broadcast, Minaj released a barrage of tweets responding to Noah’s comment and what she described as long-standing industry mistreatment. She wrote: ‘Are y’all understanding that these ppl have been sacrificing children as a way of gaining & maintaining power? If you ever vote DemonCrat again, you’re just as soulless as they are & will perish. Maybe it’s time for me to do some story times – since I was trying to not say what I know yet they continue to attempt bullying. Also, I won’t be releasing an album until my contract is renegotiated & until I tell you about all the sabotage this RICO is finding out about Billboard.’
She followed with another post saying: ‘Your favorite artist has been practicing rituals in a satanic cult where they take babies from other countries & mutilate & kill them as a form of a blood sacrifice to their God. You see, when your master is satan, you must constantly shed blood. However, the JIG IS UP.’
Minaj then appeared to take direct aim at Trevor Noah, questioning his sexuality in a separate post: ‘Trevor refuses to come out the closet when everyone in the industry knows his boyfriend. Allegedly,’ She continued by alleging sabotage of her work, writing: ‘They sabotaged my documentary b/c i spoke about abuse that i suffered. They’ve been trying to stall all my projects in hopes I’d lose a bunch of money & beg them for help. Their leaders still think it’s a joke. The destruction that’s about to come down on them isn’t funny. I told y’all to leave me alone. Now you’ll understand why you should’ve just sat there & taken your meds.’
Her posts went on to single out several industry figures. In a tweet referencing Jay-Z, she wrote: ‘Imagine if a 30-year-old rapper was out here with a 16-year-old in this day & age – and how y’all would have his head on a platter. The guy was hugging & humping on teens in broad daylight. Next, I’ll get on the owner of the Shaderoom & more.’ She also made a mockery post which was targeted at Lizzo: ‘Fat Lizzo lost 300 lbs just to sell 300 albums. So now she has loose skin AND a flop album, AND a weird charge. Sheesh.’
Minaj rounded off the series of tweets with a religious declaration against her haters, stating: ‘As they do their ritual tonight, God almighty will reveal himself to them. The ritual will backfire on them. God will not be mocked. Blessed is the MIGHTY NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. Every tongue that rises up against me in judgement shall be condemned & put to shame. Watch’.
