UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Rapper Nicki Minaj backed President Donald Trump's claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria, telling a U.S.-sponsored United Nations event Tuesday that she wanted to shed light on a “deadly threat.”
Trump said Christianity faces an “existential threat” in Nigeria and ordered the Pentagon to begin preparing for possible military action in the West African country. Experts and locals say some attacks target Christians, but most stress that in the widespread violence that has long plagued the West African country, everyone is a potential victim, regardless of background or beliefs.
Trinidad-born Minaj thanked Trump for his leadership and for calling for urgent action “to protect Christians in Nigeria, combat extremism, and stop violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
She spoke at a meeting of the US mission to the United Nations along with US Ambassador Mike Walz and religious leaders. The development comes after she responded to Trump's social media post about Nigeria earlier this month, saying: “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion.”
In his message on X on Sunday, Pope Leo XIV said Christians were suffering discrimination and persecution in various parts of the world, pointing to Nigeria and other countries such as Bangladesh, Mozambique and Sudan.
Introducing Minaj, Waltz said, “She's coming to the world stage not as a celebrity, but as a witness… to bring attention to Nigeria's persecuted church” to her millions of social media followers.
Saying she was “very nervous” speaking before the panel, Minaj vowed to continue speaking out “in the face of injustice” against anyone, anywhere, who is persecuted for their beliefs.
“Unfortunately, this problem is becoming a growing problem not only in Nigeria but in many other countries around the world,” she said.
Minaj said she wanted to make it clear that standing up for Christians in Nigeria does not mean taking sides or dividing people. “It's about bringing people together,” she said, calling Nigeria a “beautiful country with deep religious traditions” that she can't wait to see.
The rap star did mention music in her speech, saying she's traveled the world and seen people everywhere come to life when they hear a song “that touches their soul.”
“Religious freedom means we all sing our faith, no matter who we are, where we live or what we believe,” Minaj said.
