(NewsNation) — Nicki Minaj supported President Donald Trump’s claims that Christians in Nigeria are persecuted, in a speech at the United Nations on Tuesday.
The rapper praised the president’s leadership and urged that something be done “to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
Minaj, who was born in Trinidad, spoke at a panel alongside U.S. Ambassador Mike Waltz, who invited the “Pills N Potions” performer and faith speakers.
“I stand here as a proud New Yorker with a deep sense of gratitude that we live in a country where we can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, background, or politics,” she said. “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion, like I recently stated on social media. And we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”
Donald Trump considers military action in Nigeria
Last month, President Donald Trump posted that he would investigate religious freedom in the country, saying the West African nation is of “particular concern.”
FILE – In this Sept. 11, 2018, file photo, Nicki Minaj attends the Oscar de la Renta show during Fashion Week in New York. The White House is offering to connect Minaj with one of the Biden administration’s doctors to address her questions about the COVID-19 vaccine. The offer comes after the Trinidadian-born rapper’s erroneous tweet alleging the vaccine causes impotence went viral. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) 
WASHINGTON, DC – NOVEMBER 13: U.S. President Donald Trump listens as first lady Melania Trump speaks at a signing ceremony for the “Fostering the Future” executive order in the East Room of the White House on November 13, 2025 in Washington, DC. The executive order, championed by the first lady, works to expand opportunities for education, career development, housing and other resources for youth transitioning from foster care to adulthood. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria,” Trump said in a social media post. “Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. I am hereby making Nigeria a ‘COUNTRY OF PARTICULAR CONCERN.’”
Experts have said Trump’s claims are misleading since religious violence in Nigeria is not specifically aimed at Christians in the country, as extremists have mainly killed Muslims, according to Bloomberg.
From January 2020 to September 2025, there were 12,000 attacks against Nigeria’s civilian population. Bloomberg reported that 5% of these attacks were religiously motivated, resulting in the deaths of 417 Muslims and 317 Christians.