When people from all walks of life speak up for what’s right, it shows the strength of free speech and moral courage. This week, we saw that truth in action when famous rapper Nicki Minaj praised President Donald Trump for standing up for persecuted Christians in Nigeria. Even more surprising to some, her words earned her an invite to the United Nations to talk more about this serious issue.
Nicki Minaj, who was born in Trinidad and Tobago and moved to New York as a child, is not known for political statements. Yet she used her platform to thank President Trump for taking a firm stand against religious persecution. In a post on social media, she responded to Trump’s warning to Nigeria: if their government doesn’t stop the violence against Christians, the U.S. will end all aid and assistance. That’s a bold move by the President, but one that lines up with America’s founding values of religious liberty.
Minaj wrote, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God.” She reminded her millions of followers that no one should be punished for their faith. That’s a message straight from the First Amendment of our Constitution, which protects the right to worship freely.
This is not just about one country or one faith. Christians around the world are being targeted, especially in places like Nigeria, where radical groups have burned churches, kidnapped pastors, and killed innocent believers. President Trump is right to call this out. Silence in the face of evil is not neutrality—it’s weakness. And weakness in defending liberty only encourages more violence.
The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Mike Waltz, praised Minaj for her courage and invited her to visit the U.S. Mission to the U.N. He offered to speak with her in more detail about what the administration is doing to protect religious freedom worldwide. She accepted the invitation with gratitude, saying, “I’d be honored.”
This moment is important for many reasons. First, it shows that President Trump’s foreign policy continues to put American values first—freedom, justice, and the defense of the innocent. Unlike past presidents who looked the other way when Christians were under attack, Trump is not afraid to use America’s strength to protect the weak.
Second, it shows that speaking the truth doesn’t depend on who you are. Nicki Minaj isn’t a politician, and she can’t even vote in U.S. elections. But when she saw something that mattered, she spoke up. That’s the beauty of free speech. And when someone uses their voice for good, especially to defend people who are suffering, it deserves recognition.
Critics in Nigeria’s government tried to downplay the targeting of Christians, saying terrorists attack everyone. But that’s not the full story. Reports from on the ground confirm that Christians are often singled out. President Trump and his team understand that, and they are willing to act.
When the U.S. stands firm on its founding principles, the world notices. And when Americans—whether presidents or pop stars—speak out for freedom and faith, it reminds us all of who we are. This country was built on the idea that rights come from God, not government. That’s why we must defend those rights, not just at home, but wherever they are under attack.
As we look ahead to the next United Nations General Assembly in New York, let us hope that more voices rise to defend religious liberty. Let us also be thankful that in 2025, under President Trump’s leadership, America is once again standing strong for what’s right. And let us pray for the safety and freedom of our Christian brothers and sisters in Nigeria and around the world.
