Rapper Nicki Minaj has reportedly deactivated her Instagram account following widespread public backlash stemming from her recent appearance at the conservative Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest 2026 summit. The Grammy-winning artist’s participation in the four-day event, where she voiced strong support for former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, ignited a significant controversy among her fanbase and observers. Her social media platform, boasting millions of followers, now displays a message indicating the page is unavailable, prompting speculation about the direct cause of its removal.
Minaj, 43, took the stage on Sunday, the final day of the conference, engaging in a discussion with Erika Kirk, who leads Turning Point USA following the passing of her husband, Charlie Kirk. During the segment, the Trinidadian-born artist openly praised Mr. Trump, describing him as “handsome” and “dashing.” She further commended the current administration, stating it is “full of people with heart and soul,” expressing pride in both Mr. Trump and Mr. Vance.
The musician articulated a newfound admiration for the political figures, noting their “uncanny ability to be someone that you relate to.” Minaj also conveyed a sense of weariness from feeling “pushed around,” advocating for individuals to express their opinions freely, even if those ideas diverge from popular sentiment. She suggested that disagreement often arises because “people are no longer using their minds,” implying a lack of independent thought in public discourse.
Erika Kirk acknowledged the potential for criticism from the entertainment industry regarding Minaj’s outspoken support for conservative figures, commending the rapper for her “courageous” stance. Minaj, however, appeared unfazed by the prospect of backlash, remarking, “I didn’t notice. We don’t even think about them.” She then aligned herself with Kirk, asserting, “We’re the cool kids,” in a dismissive gesture towards critics.
The rapper’s appearance and subsequent comments have drawn considerable criticism from her fans, many of whom expressed profound disappointment across social media platforms. Numerous followers suggested that financial incentives might have influenced her shift in political alignment. Comments circulated widely, including direct accusations such as, “If you needed money this badly, you should have just said that,” and pointed remarks like, “Your career is done,” and “You picked the wrong side!”
This recent endorsement marks a notable departure from Minaj’s historical political commentary, particularly concerning Mr. Trump. The artist, known for her sharp lyrical content, previously critiqued the former president-elect’s rhetoric on immigration. In one instance, she sang, “Island girl, Donald Trump want me go home,” a line widely interpreted as a direct challenge to his proposed migrant deportation policies.
Her past criticisms extended to the Trump administration’s controversial zero-tolerance immigration policy implemented in 2018, which led to the separation of over 5,000 children from their families at the U.S.-Mexico border. At that time, Minaj was among several celebrities who condemned the policy, sharing her personal experience of arriving in the United States as a five-year-old and identifying herself as an “illegal immigrant.”
In social media posts from that period, Minaj vividly described her alarm over the policy’s human impact. She wrote, “This is so scary to me. Please stop this. Can you try to imagine the terror & panic these kids feel right now?” This stark contrast between her earlier humanitarian appeals and her recent political endorsements has intensified the scrutiny surrounding her current public statements.
While the immediate deactivation of her Instagram account coincided with the height of the controversy, some followers pointed out that Minaj has temporarily quit the platform on previous occasions, including in October of the previous year. Her official X (formerly Twitter) account remains active, continuing to serve as a platform for her communications. Representatives for Nicki Minaj have been contacted for comment regarding these developments.
