Don Lemon Responds To Nicki Minaj Calling Him Homophobic Slur After Minnesota Protest Coverage
Don Lemon is not backing down. Instead, he’s standing firm and speaking clearly after Nicki Minaj publicly came at him with a homophobic slur tied to his political reporting in Minnesota. The moment quickly turned viral, sparking intense conversation across social media, especially within Black and LGBTQ+ communities.
In the now-trending situation, Lemon shared footage from a Minneapolis protest that interrupted a church service led by David Easterwood, who serves as both a pastor and the Acting Director of ICE’s Saint Paul Field Office. The video raised eyebrows immediately. And while Lemon framed it as straight journalism, Nicki Minaj saw it differently — and she let her feelings fly.
What Sparked the Controversy Between Don Lemon and Nicki Minaj
The controversy started on Sunday, January 18, when Don Lemon posted video footage from a protest in the Twin Cities. Activists disrupted a church service where David Easterwood serves as a pastor. What made the situation more intense is Easterwood’s dual role as a religious leader and the Acting Director of ICE’s Saint Paul Field Office.
Lemon, 59, shared the clip on Bluesky and wrote, “Minneapolis activists disrupted a church service where David Easterwood serves as a pastor, according to lawyer and activist @nekimal – Easterwood is also the acting field office director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in St. Paul, Minnesota.”
The post quickly circulated. And overnight, Nicki Minaj fired back — aggressively.
She took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “DON ‘C— SUCKIN’ LEMON IS DISGUSTING. HOW DARE YOU? I WANT THAT THUG IN JAIL!!!!! HE WOULD NEVER DO THAT TO ANY OTHER RELIGION. LOCK HIM UP!!!!!” The post was paired with an image of a Chucky doll.
The language shocked many. Not just because of the slur, but because it came from an artist with a massive platform. People immediately called out the post as homophobic and dangerous. Others questioned whether Minaj fully understood the journalistic intent behind Lemon’s coverage.
This moment wasn’t just about one post. It reflected a growing tension between celebrity influence and political discourse. And once Lemon responded, the conversation escalated even more.
Don Lemon’s Response and Why His Words Matter
Don Lemon didn’t respond with a tweet storm. Instead, he chose precision. Speaking to TMZ, the openly gay journalist — who married his longtime partner Tim Malone in 2024 — delivered a sharp but composed statement.
He said, “I’m not surprised Nicki Minaj does not
understand journalism and is weighing in on matters that are above her capacity. However, the more appropriate image for her post is a ‘Pick Me’ Doll.”