Fox News Host Faces On-Air Correction and Social Media Backlash After Rapper Mix-Up
Fox News host Laura Ingraham found herself at the center of an embarrassing on-air correction and widespread social media mockery this week after she confused two prominent Black female rappers during a live broadcast segment. The incident occurred on Wednesday while Ingraham was interviewing Senator Bernie Moreno, a Republican from Ohio, about former President Donald Trump's recently announced infant savings account initiative.
Confusion Over Hip-Hop Stars at Political Event
During the discussion, Ingraham referenced hip-hop superstar Nicki Minaj's appearance at a Trump campaign event, where Minaj had publicly declared herself Trump's "number one fan" and accused critics of "bullying" the former president. Ingraham commented, "Nicki Minaj and Donald Trump. Now conservatives, including myself, were beyond disgusted by lyrics in some of her songs over the years."
The host then specifically mentioned the controversial 2020 hit song "WAP," stating, "'WAP,' I won't say what that stands for," apparently attributing the track to Minaj. At this point, Ingraham paused noticeably, appearing to receive information through her earpiece from her production team.
Immediate Correction and Awkward Recovery
Ingraham quickly acknowledged her error on air, saying, "That's Cardi B. Oh, that's how bad I am. That's Cardi B. Thank you, Sam," as Senator Moreno laughed at the mistake. The correction highlighted a significant factual error: "WAP" was actually performed by Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion, not Nicki Minaj.
This on-air correction marked a rare moment of immediate fact-checking during a live broadcast, though it came only after the initial misinformation had been delivered to Fox News viewers.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism and Mockery
The gaffe quickly spread across social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), where users offered both pointed criticism and sarcastic commentary about the mix-up:
- Political commentator Bakari Sellers tweeted, "We all look alike," with a facepalm emoji, suggesting the error reflected racial insensitivity.
- The account PatriotTakes simply noted, "That's a different Black woman," highlighting what many saw as a problematic conflation of two distinct artists.
- Journalist Grace Panetta provided a straightforward fact check: "Nicki Minaj does not have a song called WAP. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, however, do."
- User korthynex expressed broader criticism of media quality, asking, "Who watches this slop?"
- Washington Post reporter Aaron Blake responded with a simple, "Oh dear," capturing the awkwardness of the moment.
Broader Implications of the Mix-Up
Several commentators noted that confusing Minaj with Cardi B would likely anger Minaj herself, given her well-documented pride in her individual artistry and brand. User Glen Coco observed, "Confusing Nicki and Cardi is crazy. But to them we all look alike," again pointing to potential racial undertones in the error.
Other users expressed frustration that conservative media platforms repeatedly make this specific mistake. One user, Veruć Salt, tweeted in all caps: "NICKI MINAJ IS NOT THE ARTIST THAT SUNG WAP. I DON'T SEE WHY CONSERVATIVE PLATFORMS KEEP GETTING THIS WRONG."
The incident highlights ongoing tensions in how political media covers hip-hop culture and Black artists, particularly when those artists engage with conservative politics. It also raises questions about media preparation and fact-checking processes during live broadcasts involving cultural references outside traditional political reporting.
While Ingraham quickly corrected herself on air, the social media response suggests the error resonated beyond a simple mistake, touching on larger issues of representation, cultural literacy, and media accountability in political coverage.
