Chart-topping rapper Nicki Minaj has abruptly deactivated her primary Instagram account, sparking concern among her fanbase. The move comes just days after she faced significant backlash for her appearance and comments at a prominent right-wing political conference in the United States.
A Festive Disappearance
Fans discovered that Minaj's Instagram profile was no longer accessible on Christmas Eve, Wednesday, 24 December. Visitors to the page were met with the message: ‘Sorry, this page isn’t available.’ While the Barbie World singer has temporarily quit the platform before, the timing of this latest deletion has raised eyebrows, following closely on the heels of a politically charged weekend.
Controversial Appearance at AmericaFest
The catalyst for the online furore was Minaj's guest appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest conference in Phoenix, Arizona, on Sunday, 21 December. The 43-year-old performer took to the stage hand-in-hand with Erika Kirk, 37, the new CEO of the organisation and widow of its founder, the late Charlie Kirk.
During their conversation, which touched on engaging young men in politics, Minaj offered praise for former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, stating, 'I can relate to them when I hear them speak.' She also used the term 'New-scum' to insult California Governor Gavin Newsom.
An Unfortunate Gaffe Goes Viral
The most cringeworthy moment, however, came when Minaj attempted to compliment JD Vance. In a serious misstep, she referred to him as 'the assassin JD Vance, our vice president.' The poor choice of words was acutely awkward given that Erika Kirk's husband, Charlie Kirk, was fatally shot and killed on 10 September while speaking at a university campus in Utah.
Audience reaction was mixed, with some laughing, but Minaj appeared to immediately realise her error, pausing with her head in her hands. Erika Kirk, however, was quick to offer grace, telling Minaj, 'Trust me, there is nothing new under the sun that I have not heard. So you're fine… You let it roll right off your back.'
Kirk predicted the clip would spread online but defended Minaj's character, saying, 'I love this woman... words are words, but I know her heart.'
The sequence of events—from the politically divisive appearance to the viral gaffe and the subsequent social media silence—has left Minaj's followers and critics alike speculating about her next move. Whether this is a brief retreat or a longer-term step back from the public eye remains to be seen.
