Rap icon Nicki Minaj has expressed her appreciation for President Donald Trump, commending him for highlighting the persecution and genocide faced by Christians in Nigeria. She thanked him for his “leadership on the global stage” in addressing this serious issue.
On Tuesday, Minaj met with U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Walz at the UN Headquarters. She expressed her gratitude for being invited to speak, a meeting that followed Walz’s commendation of Trump for taking action regarding the “genocide” happening in Nigeria.
“It’s truly an honor to speak alongside such esteemed guests today about the grave threats to thousands of Christians in Nigeria,” Minaj stated. “I want to extend my thanks to President Trump for putting this matter front and center, for his global leadership, and for urging immediate action to safeguard Christians in Nigeria, tackle extremism, and halt the violence against individuals simply seeking to practice their faith.”
Minaj shared her “deep gratitude” for living in a country where individuals can “safely and freely worship God, no matter their background or political stance.”
“As I mentioned recently on social media, no one should be persecuted for their religious beliefs,” she continued. “To show respect for one another, we don’t have to agree on everything. It goes beyond the idea that those around us must share our exact beliefs. We’re past that.”
In a statement made on October 31, President Trump identified Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), asserting that Christianity “faces an existential threat in Nigeria.”
“Thousands of Christians are being killed. Islamic extremists are behind this genocide. Therefore, I officially designate Nigeria as a ‘Country of Special Concern’ – but that’s just part of the issue. When Christians and other groups are being slaughtered like this (3,100 people in Nigeria compared to 4,476 globally), something must be done!” Trump remarked in his post.
Following Trump’s announcement, Minaj expressed her “deep sense of gratitude” for being in a country where worship can be freely practiced.
“Thank you to the President and his team for taking this matter seriously,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Nigerian officials, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Minister of Foreign Affairs Yusuf Maitama Tugaa, have disputed claims of genocide against Christians in Nigeria. However, Nigerian Senator Orji Uzor Kalu stated that President Trump “spoke the truth” in his condemnation of the violence against Christians.
Kalu emphasized the point made by the Nigerian leadership that Christians are not the sole victims of violence and displacement, identifying the attackers as “jihadis” who aim to “destroy Nigeria,” contrasting with the government’s claims that the violence stems from “climate change” issues.
The senator’s remarks come in response to Trump’s announcement to blacklist Nigeria due to religious persecution, which generated significant pushback from officials denying systematic violence against Christians. Tinubu recently denied the existence of “religious intolerance” and claimed that no genocide was occurring. Nigeria’s prominent Islamic organizations also refuted claims of violence by Muslims against Christians.
“If it’s a lie, it’s not a lie because he’s speaking the truth,” Kalu said, responding to Trump’s comments, according to the Vanguard. “Nigerians are being killed, whether they are Christians or Muslims.”
In a recent speech, Pope Leo acknowledged countries like Bangladesh, Nigeria, Mozambique, and Sudan where attacks on communities and places of worship frequently occur. He remarked, “God is a merciful Father and desires peace among all His children.”
