Tuesday, January 20, 2026 - Rapper Nicki Minaj criticized former CNN anchor-turned independent journalist Don Lemon on social media after he livestreamed coverage of a protest that disrupted a church service in Minnesota.
On X, Minaj wrote in capital letters, “DON ‘COCK SUCKIN’
LEMON IS DISGUSTING,” and added, “HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!!
HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!”
The incident stemmed from a demonstration on Sunday at
Cities Church in St. Paul, where a group of protesters interrupted a Sunday
worship service to challenge the presence of Immigration and Customs
Enforcement (ICE) and to raise concerns about the fatal shooting of Renee Good,
a 37-year-old woman who was killed by an ICE agent earlier this month during a
federal enforcement operation. The shooting and immigration enforcement
activity in the Minneapolis area have sparked widespread protests and heightened
tensions.
Don Lemon was on site livestreaming the confrontation and
reporting on the protest. Conservative figures, including Department of Justice
officials, criticised Lemon’s presence at the scene and have called for legal
action over the disruption of the church service. The Justice Department’s
Civil Rights Division has said it is investigating whether federal laws
prohibiting interference with worship were violated during the incident.
Lemon responded to critics by defending his coverage, saying
he was reporting on events in a journalistic capacity and noting that reporting
on protests is protected under the First Amendment.
President Donald Trump’s White House Press Secretary
Karoline Leavitt also weighed in, stating that the administration “will not
tolerate the intimidation and harassment of Christians in their sacred places
of worship” and that the Department of Justice had launched a full
investigation into the matter.
Minaj’s comments reflect broader national debates over media
coverage, protests against federal immigration enforcement, and the role of
public figures in responding to news events.
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