In a move that has sparked widespread discussion online, global rap superstar Nicki Minaj has deactivated her primary Instagram account. This action comes just days after she made a surprise appearance and voiced strong support for former President Donald Trump at a major conservative conference.
Appearance at AmericaFest and Political Praise
The catalyst for the online stir was Minaj's unexpected participation in the four-day AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, organized by the conservative group Turning Point USA. The event concluded on Sunday, December 22nd. During a conversation on the final day, Minaj shared the stage with Erika Kirk, a rising Republican figure and the widow of the organization's late founder, Charlie Kirk.
In that discussion, the "Anaconda" and "Super Bass" hitmaker did not hold back her admiration for the former president. Minaj told Kirk she had "the utmost respect and admiration" for Donald Trump, adding, "I don't know if he even knows this, but he's given so many people hope."
Social Media Shift and Backlash Response
By Wednesday, December 25th, observers noted that Minaj's Instagram profile, with its tens of millions of followers, had gone dark. Her representatives have not commented on the reason for the deactivation. However, the rapper remains active on the platform X (formerly Twitter), where she posted Christmas wishes and a religious message on Friday.
When asked by Erika Kirk about potential political blowback from within the music industry, Minaj displayed a dismissive attitude. The Trinidadian-born artist simply stated, "I didn't notice." This marks a significant and public political alignment for an artist previously better known for high-profile feuds with peers like Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion than for her political stances.
A Recent Political Alignment
Minaj's vocal support for Trump is a recent development. It began in November when she shared a video from the official White House TikTok account that praised Trump's policies on transgender issues and immigration, which used her song "Va Va Voom" as backing music.
Her alignment solidified further when she spoke on behalf of the Trump administration at a United Nations panel on November 18th. The event addressed "Combatting Religious Violence and the Killing of Christians in Nigeria," following Trump's vow to protect Christians there. The Nigerian government has contested claims of targeted religious persecution, stating that jihadist violence affects people across beliefs.
This new stance represents a shift for Minaj. In a 2020 interview, she criticized Trump's policy of separating migrant children from their guardians, saying it didn't make her eager to "jump on the Donald Trump bandwagon." She noted at the time, "That is what made me go, 'Something about this doesn't sit right in my spirit.'" The artist, who once described herself as an "illegal immigrant" when she moved to the U.S. as a child, has now publicly positioned herself on the other side of the political divide, leading to her current social media recalibration.
