actor Billy Porter has publicly criticized Nicki Minaj‘s recent expression of support for Donald Trump, using strongly worded language to distance himself from the rapper. The exchange highlights a growing divide among celebrities regarding political endorsements.
“F-k her,” Porter reportedly said (multiple times) while on the red carpet for the MusiCares’ 2026 Person of the Year Gala, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Porter, speaking with Hollywood Unlocked, emphasized his disapproval of Minaj’s shift towards conservative political stances, stating, “When people show you who they are the first time, believe them.” He indicated a complete disengagement, saying, “I’m out,” implying he no longer supports Minaj.
Nicki minaj and Don Lemon’s Public Dispute
Porter’s critique follows a recent public back-and-forth between Minaj and former CNN anchor Don Lemon. The dispute began after Lemon commented on a protest at a Minnesota church connected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his livestreamed program, The Lemon Report.
Minaj responded to Lemon with aggressive language on X (formerly Twitter), calling him a “c-cksucker” and demanding he be jailed, according to TMZ. She posted, “DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’ LEMON IS REPULSIVE. HOW DARE YOU?” and “I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!”
Lemon,in a statement to TMZ, expressed he was unsurprised by Minaj’s reaction, stating that she “[does] not understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity.”
Context: Celebrities and Political Alignment
This series of events reflects a broader trend of celebrities publicly aligning themselves with political figures, often generating meaningful controversy and debate. The increasing polarization of political discourse has led to more outspoken endorsements and criticisms, notably on social media. The dust off from the 2024 election and the renewed campaign efforts for 2028 influence these endorsements by celebrities,according to a Pew Research Center analysis.
Key Takeaways
- Billy Porter strongly condemned Nicki Minaj’s support for Donald Trump.
- Nicki Minaj and Don lemon engaged in a heated public dispute on X.
- The incidents highlight the increasing trend of celebrities taking public political stances.
The fallout from these public disagreements remains to be seen, but they underline the complex relationship between celebrity influence, political engagement, and public discourse. It is likely that further instances of celebrities taking strong positions on political issues will continue to emerge as the 2028 election cycle approaches.
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