Don Lemon Rebukes Nicki Minaj’s Homophobic Comments

Don Lemon has addressed the controversial remarks made by Nicki Minaj regarding his reporting on an anti-ICE protest. The exchange took place following Minaj’s incendiary comments on social media, where she labeled Lemon’s journalism as unacceptable.

Background on the Incident

The tensions began when Lemon covered an anti-ICE protest in Minneapolis, which involved demonstrators interrupting a service at Cities Church. They accused the pastor of working in conjunction with ICE. Minaj reacted vocally to Lemon’s coverage, calling for his imprisonment.

Key Statements from Don Lemon

Lemon responded to Minaj’s claims during an interview with TMZ. He described her insults as “disgusting” and commented on her perceived disdain for the African American community. He stated, “I think Nicki Minaj has made it very clear how she feels about African Americans in this country. I don’t think she’s one of them.”

• Lemon accused Minaj of being undocumented and expressed doubt about her legal status in the United States.
• He urged fans to reconsider their support for Minaj, labeling her as “homophobic, bigoted, and ignorant.”
• He suggested that Minaj lacks understanding in both politics and journalism.

Minaj’s Reaction

In her post, Minaj referred to Lemon using derogatory language and demanded that he be jailed for his journalism. She stated, “I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!!” This outburst coincides with broader criticisms of Lemon’s journalistic choices, particularly regarding religious spaces.

Legal Context

Minaj’s call for Lemon’s incarceration came in the wake of a warning from the Justice Department’s assistant attorney general for civil rights, Harmeet Dhillon. She criticized Lemon’s reporting methods, asserting that disrupting a worship service is unlawful and not protected by the First Amendment.

Protests in Minneapolis

The protests in Minneapolis erupted following the police shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE agent, Jonathan Ross. These demonstrations are part of ongoing national conversations about immigration and law enforcement practices.

Lemon defended his actions, asserting that he was merely fulfilling his role as a journalist and not affiliated with the protestors. His comments underscore a growing divide between public figures and their critiques of the media.