Nicki Minaj Joins Trump Administration Officials at UN, Decries Persecution of Christians in Nigeria
NEW YORK – In a striking convergence of pop culture and international diplomacy, American rapper Nicki Minaj appeared alongside U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz at a panel Tuesday, using her platform to spotlight the escalating violence against Christians in Nigeria.
The event, held at the U.S. Mission to the UN and moderated by Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner, focused on the plight of Nigerian Christians facing attacks from militant groups like Boko Haram. The discussion highlighted the Trump administration’s recent decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) and to impose sanctions.
“If a church is destroyed, everyone’s heart should break,” Minaj stated during the panel, according to a post on social media platform X.
Ambassador Waltz and the panel cited stark figures, including reports that over 5,000 Christians were killed in Nigeria last year and more than 20,000 churches have been destroyed since 2009. The event served to amplify President Donald Trump’s recent claims about religious persecution in the West African nation.
Minaj’s involvement aligns with public support for the President’s stance. In a separate statement, the rapper said, “I would like to thank @POTUS for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria.” This comes after President Trump previously suggested he would consider sending troops to the country if the Nigerian government did not act to protect the religious community.
However, the narrative presented at the UN panel is met with counterpoints from Nigerian officials and regional analysts. They argue that the violence in Nigeria stems from a complex web of broader security challenges—including widespread banditry, resource-based conflicts, and ethnic tensions—that impact citizens of all faiths, not solely Christians.
The collaboration between a high-profile entertainer and diplomatic officials signals a continued effort by the Trump administration to draw international attention to the issue of religious freedom, even as the situation on the ground remains a subject of intense debate.
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