Pop star Nicki Minaj has deactivated her Instagram account following backlash from comments made during an event with Erika Kirk, the widow of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was tragically killed during a speaking tour in September. This move comes after Minaj reportedly lost hundreds of thousands of followers within days of the incident.
On December 21, 2023, Minaj and Erika Kirk appeared together at AmericaFest in Arizona, where Erika serves as CEO of Turning Point USA. During a question-and-answer session, Erika asked Minaj to offer advice to the young men in the audience. In response, Minaj described former US President Donald Trump as “handsome” and suggested he was among the “role models” they could follow.
Things took a turn when Minaj made an unfortunate verbal slip, referring to JD Vance as an “assassin.” Vance, a U.S. Senator from Ohio, has gained notoriety for his controversial comments, but the term struck a particularly sensitive chord given the recent loss of Erika’s husband. The audience reacted with a mix of laughter and discomfort, prompting Minaj to cover her mouth in realization of her mistake.
Erika Kirk quickly stepped in to ease the tension, stating, “Trust me, there is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard,” and expressed her affection for Minaj. She reassured the crowd, saying, “You have to laugh about it, truly,” emphasizing her resilience in the face of public scrutiny. Erika further noted that while words can be impactful, she understood Minaj’s intentions, stating, “I know her heart, it doesn’t even matter.”
Despite Erika’s attempt to downplay the incident, social media users reacted strongly to Minaj’s remarks. One comment read, “You put the ASS in assassin, Nicki,” while another criticized her endorsement of Trump and Vance, stating, “You lost 10 MILLION followers in 48 hours. You picked the wrong side.”
The deletion of Minaj’s Instagram account has sparked speculation regarding her social media presence. Fans pointed out that she has a history of temporarily deactivating her account before returning, a pattern she has followed multiple times throughout the year. As of now, Minaj’s account on X remains active.
This incident highlights the volatile nature of celebrity interactions and the potential repercussions of public comments, especially when they intersect with sensitive topics. The fallout from the event demonstrates how quickly public opinion can shift and the challenges public figures face in navigating their personal and professional identities in the digital age.
