Nicki Minaj is scheduled to speak at a United Nations event in New York on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, focusing on what she and U.S. officials describe as the persecution of Christians in Nigeria. The appearance comes amid a politically charged backdrop, with strong links to President Donald Trump and his broader foreign‑policy agenda.
The event is being organized in collaboration with the U.S. Mission to the United Nations. It is reportedly coordinated by Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump advisor, who is also expected to speak. Alongside Minaj, U.S. Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz will also deliver remarks.
Waltz, in public comments, praised Minaj’s involvement, calling her “a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” In response, Minaj expressed deep gratitude:
“I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. … The Barbz & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.”
This collaboration follows Minaj’s public support for Trump’s statements about violence targeting Christians in Nigeria. Trump has framed the violence as being driven by “radical Islamist” groups and has called for Nigeria to be redesignated as a “Country of Particular Concern” on religious-freedom grounds.
He has also made more aggressive statements: recently, he threatened to cut U.S. aid to Nigeria and even suggested possible military intervention if the Nigerian government does not act. According to Trump, such action would target the extremist groups allegedly responsible for killing Christians.
Ambassador Waltz has echoed Trump’s strong line. On social media (X), he invited Minaj to visit him at the U.S. Embassy in New York to discuss more deeply what the U.S. is doing to defend persecuted Christians globally.
For Minaj, the UN stage represents a powerful use of her global platform. She has repeatedly highlighted her Christian faith and framed her upcoming remarks as part of a moral calling. Her involvement underlines a newer kind of “celebrity diplomacy,” where entertainers take on overtly political and humanitarian roles.
But critics warn of potential risks. Some experts argue that the narrative of a “Christian genocide” in Nigeria is overly simplistic. According to a Forbes analysis, while extremist groups have attacked Christian communities, they have also targeted Muslims, and data does not clearly support the claim that Christians are being systematically targeted more than other religious groups.
Nigeria’s internal dynamics are complex: many of the violent incidents stem from ethnic conflict, land disputes, resource scarcity, and criminal networks, not just religious identity.
Minaj’s participation has sparked significant debate. On one hand, Trump-aligned conservative voices see her as a powerful advocate for religious freedom. On the other, some fans and critics are uncomfortable with her alignment with Trump, whom they view as a polarizing figure.
In Nigeria, the government has strongly rejected the framing of the conflict as religious persecution. Officials argue that violence affects both Christians and Muslims, emphasizing that many of the attacks are not solely motivated by religion.