Nicki Minaj Praises Trump at UN for Spotlighting Christian Persecution in Nigeria
Rapper Nicki Minaj surprised international observers Tuesday with a high-profile appearance at the United Nations headquarters, where she publicly praised President Donald Trump for his efforts to combat the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj, speaking alongside U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Mike Waltz, thanked Trump for what she called his “leadership on the global stage,” after he designated Nigeria a Country of Particular Concern due to rising violence against Christian communities.
“It is an honor to stand on this stage with you and the other distinguished speakers here today to shine a spotlight on the deadly threat faced by thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj said. “I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue… to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism, and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
The moment marked one of the most unexpected political interventions by a mainstream entertainment figure in recent memory. Minaj, one of the world’s top-selling artists, has increasingly voiced opinions on issues of free speech, faith, and global human rights—most recently commenting on religious persecution through her social media platforms.
“I felt a deep sense of gratitude reading what Trump said,” Minaj added. “We live in a country where we can freely and safely worship God, regardless of creed, background, or politics… we’re beyond expecting the person next to us to have the exact same beliefs.”
Trump first drew attention to the issue on October 31, when he wrote on Truth Social, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘Country of Particular Concern.’”
In the same post, Trump noted the stark figures of Christian killings in Nigeria—3,100 out of 4,476 killed worldwide, according to international watchdogs.
Minaj later reposted his statement, adding, “Thank you to The President & his team for taking this seriously.”
Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.
No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.
Numerous countries all… pic.twitter.com/2M5sPiviQu
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) November 1, 2025
While Nigerian officials have pushed back, including denials from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, there’s growing international recognition of the violence. Nigerian Senator Orji Uzor Kalu backed Trump’s claims, saying the former president “told the truth.”
Pope Leo XIV also spoke out Sunday, listing Nigeria among several countries where Christians face deadly violence for their faith. “I think especially of Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, Sudan… from which we frequently hear of attacks on communities and places of worship,” he said.
Minaj’s involvement has already stirred conversation across social and political circles. Her appearance at the U.N. may have stunned critics, but her message was clear: the silence around Christian persecution must end—and President Trump, she said, was one of the few world leaders actually doing something about it.