Don Lemon and Nicki Minaj have become embroiled in a heated social media feud, with tensions escalating following a protest incident in Minneapolis. On Sunday, Lemon live-streamed anti-ICE protesters who interrupted a church service, advocating for what they perceived as a necessary stand against immigration enforcement. The protesters entered Cities Church, chanting slogans such as “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot!” and “ICE OUT.” While many congregants expressed their outrage over the disruption, Lemon defended the protesters, asserting that they were exercising their First Amendment rights.
In response to Lemon’s coverage, Minaj took to social media, criticizing him in strong terms and allegedly branding him a “homophobic bigot.” She called for Lemon to face imprisonment, claiming he would not dare to disrupt any other religion. Minaj’s comments were shared across social platforms and drew significant attention, including her assertion that Lemon should be deported under former President Donald Trump’s policies.
Lemon retaliated with a video on Instagram, accusing Minaj of being uninformed and thus out of her depth in her criticisms. He rebuffed her allegations by suggesting that she should not speak on the issues affecting African-Americans as she does not identify as such, and he referenced her family ties to a “sex offender” to highlight perceived hypocrisy. Lemon emphasized that individuals from the Black and LGBTQ+ communities should reconsider their support for her music given her comments.
This ongoing feud has raised additional controversy, particularly with Harmeet Dhillon, the assistant attorney general for civil rights, who denounced Lemon’s approach to the protest in a statement. She asserted that a house of worship should remain free from public demonstrations, reinforcing the idea that such protests could violate federal protections afforded to places of worship.
This clash between Lemon and Minaj exemplifies the intersection of media, social justice, and celebrity culture, spotlighting how public figures engage with sensitive societal issues. The intense online reactions highlight the polarized perspectives on freedom of expression, community rights, and the responsibilities of public figures when addressing such topics.