Rapper Nicki Minaj has publicly criticised media personality and former CNN anchor Don Lemon following his livestream coverage of a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota.
Minaj took to social media platform X to express her anger, using harsh and offensive language to condemn Lemon’s actions and accusing him of showing disrespect toward Christianity. She also called for legal consequences, suggesting that such behaviour would not have occurred at places of worship of other faiths.
The controversy arose from a protest on Sunday at Cities Church in St. Paul, where demonstrators interrupted a worship service to oppose the presence of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and to draw attention to the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman killed earlier this month by an ICE agent during a federal enforcement operation. The incident has fueled protests and heightened tensions across the Minneapolis area.
Don Lemon was present at the scene, livestreaming and reporting on the confrontation. His involvement drew criticism from several conservative figures, including officials linked to the Department of Justice, who accused him of contributing to the disruption and called for possible legal action.
The U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division has since confirmed it is investigating whether laws that prohibit interference with religious worship were violated during the protest.
In response, Lemon defended his actions, stating that he was carrying out his duties as a journalist and that covering protests falls under protections guaranteed by the First Amendment.
The White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, also addressed the issue, saying the administration would not tolerate harassment or intimidation of Christians in their places of worship and confirming that a full investigation has been launched.
Minaj’s reaction highlights wider national debates surrounding media coverage of protests, opposition to federal immigration enforcement, and the responsibilities of high-profile public figures when responding to sensitive events.