Unexpected Alliance: Minaj Leverages Star Power for Global Advocacy on Religious Violence in West Africa

November 17, 2025 | New York, NY – In a surprising fusion of pop culture and international diplomacy, rap superstar Nicki Minaj is set to address the United Nations headquarters in New York on Tuesday, aligning with the Trump administration to amplify the plight of persecuted Christians in Nigeria. The event, arranged by White House adviser Alex Bruesewitz, will feature Minaj alongside U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz, who hailed the artist as "not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice."

The collaboration comes amid escalating tensions over reports of targeted violence against Nigeria's Christian communities, a crisis that has drawn sharp rhetoric from President Donald Trump. Earlier this month, Trump designated Nigeria a "Country of Particular Concern" for religious freedom violations, vowing U.S. intervention if necessary. In a fiery Truth Social post, he decried the "slaughter" of Christians by "radical Islamists," threatening to send American troops "guns-a-blazing" to protect them. Minaj, who has long expressed affinity for Nigeria through her music and social media, reposted the statement with her own heartfelt response: "Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God … Thank you to the president & his team for taking this seriously. God bless every persecuted Christian."

During the UN remarks, expected to draw diplomats, faith leaders, and media from around the world, Minaj and Waltz plan to outline the Trump administration's steps to combat the atrocities. These include potential sanctions, increased humanitarian aid, and diplomatic pressure on the Nigerian government under President Bola Tinubu. Bruesewitz, a key Trump media strategist, will also speak, underscoring the administration's commitment to global religious liberty.

Minaj's involvement marks a bold pivot for the Queens-born Trinidadian artist, whose career has been defined by chart-topping hits like "Anaconda" and "Super Bass" rather than geopolitical advocacy. Though she endorsed Barack Obama in past elections, her recent social media activity has veered toward conservative causes, including praise for Trump's stance on religious issues. In a post confirming her participation, Minaj wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other." Supporters, including Republican Rep. John James of Michigan, have lauded her for using her 150 million-plus social media followers to "stand up for persecuted Christians around the world."

The backdrop to this high-profile push is a long-simmering crisis in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation and roughly evenly split between Christians and Muslims. Advocacy groups like the Christian Association of Nigeria and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria have described the killings—estimated at over 50,000 Christian lives lost in church and school attacks—as a "genocide" fueled by Islamist militants such as Boko Haram. Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) reports more than 20,000 deaths in Nigeria since 2020, with religious affiliations often unclear, but conservatives argue Christians face disproportionate targeting.

Yet the narrative is fiercely contested. Nigerian officials, including Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, insist the violence stems from ethnic and resource disputes rather than state-sponsored religious persecution, affecting victims across faiths. President Tinubu has urged against "misinformation," noting that both Christians and Muslims suffer in the crossfire of banditry and insurgency. Critics of the Trump-Minaj initiative, including some on X, have accused it of promoting "Muslim hate propaganda" and oversimplifying a complex conflict. Others question Minaj's expertise, pointing to her recent personal controversies, including legal issues involving her husband and brother.

On X, reactions have been polarized. Conservative voices celebrated the move as a "moral response," with one user declaring, "This is what happens when the culture flips, when the artists stop kneeling and start thinking." Liberal commentators, however, decried it as a "contradiction" given the administration's policies on LGBTQ+ rights, a community that overlaps significantly with Minaj's fanbase. One post quipped that Democrats were having a "full emotional meltdown," while another defended Minaj's focus as purely humanitarian, unrelated to broader U.S. politics.

As Minaj prepares to step into the diplomatic spotlight, her address could galvanize international action—or ignite further debate. With her signature flair, the rapper has already urged fans to "lift them up in prayer," blending her unapologetic persona with a call for unity. Whether this marks a one-off advocacy effort or the start of deeper political engagement remains to be seen, but for now, it's a reminder that global stages can host unexpected headliners.