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Nicki Minaj is learning in real time that there actually is a such thing as bad publicity.
A Change.org petition calling for the rapper to be deported to Trinidad and Tobago has surged in recent days, climbing from under 10,000 signatures earlier this week to more than 35,000 following her high-profile appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest on Dec. 21. The petition, which began circulating over the summer, reignited after Minaj took the stage at the conservative conference and openly praised Donald Trump and Ohio senator JD Vance.
Created by Tristan Hamilton, the petition urges the U.S. government to review Minaj’s immigration status, arguing that her recent public statements represent a sharp and troubling departure from the values she once appeared to champion. “This is personal for those of us who watched Nicki rise as a beacon of hope, only to feel abandoned by her shift in values,” the petition reads. “Her public platform carries weight and responsibility.”
Beyond politics, the campaign levels broader criticisms at the Queens rapper, accusing her of “erratic behavior,” constant celebrity feuds, and continuing to shelter her husband, Kenneth Petty, who is a registered sex offender. Those critiques have followed Minaj for years, but opponents say the tone shifted dramatically after AmericaFest, framing her latest chapter as a full embrace of faith-driven conservatism and MAGA-aligned rhetoric.
During her set, Minaj spoke about what she described as persecution of Christians in Nigeria, echoing claims promoted by conservative figures despite a lack of evidence supporting widespread, targeted attacks. The comments left some longtime fans confused, particularly given Minaj’s vocal criticism of Trump and his administration during his first term.
The petition also cites recent remarks in which Minaj suggested “boys should just be boys,” along with her growing proximity to right-wing activists. Her appearance at AmericaFest included time spent alongside Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, further fueling backlash online.
Legally, the calls for deportation appear largely symbolic. Minaj moved from Trinidad to New York City at age five and is a permanent U.S. resident. In a September 2024 TikTok livestream, she acknowledged that she is not a U.S. citizen, adding—somewhat unclearly—that she believed she may have been granted “honorary citizenship” after decades of living and paying taxes in the country. In 2018, while criticizing Trump-era immigration policies, Minaj said she entered the U.S. illegally as a child.
So far, Minaj has not directly addressed the petition or its rapidly growing signature count. However, during her AmericaFest speech, she made it clear she isn’t concerned with what she described as “fake news” or efforts to silence her.
Whether the petition leads to any official review remains unclear. What is clear is that Minaj’s political realignment has cracked open a new front in her already contentious relationship with the internet.
