Fox News Host Faces Backlash After On-Air Mix-Up Between Rappers
Fox News star Laura Ingraham has become the subject of intense mockery and criticism after committing a significant on-air blunder during Wednesday's broadcast of The Ingraham Angle. The conservative host confused rapper Nicki Minaj, who recently appeared at a White House event to promote Donald Trump's child investment account initiative, with her longtime musical rival Cardi B.
Embarrassing Gaffe Sparks Immediate Correction
During a segment discussing Minaj's endorsement of President Trump's so-called "Trump Accounts" programme, Ingraham told Republican Senator Bernie Moreno that conservatives had been "beyond disgusted" by lyrics in some of Minaj's songs over the years. The host specifically referenced the 2020 hit "WAP," declaring "I won't say what that stands for" while attributing the track to Minaj.
Almost immediately, producers in the control room intervened through Ingraham's earpiece, informing her that the sexually explicit song was actually performed by Cardi B alongside Megan Thee Stallion. "That's Cardi B. Oh, that's how bad I am. That's Cardi B. Thank you, Sam," Ingraham responded awkwardly as Senator Moreno attempted to laugh off the mistake with her.
Social Media Erupts with Criticism and Mockery
The embarrassing mix-up quickly spread across social media platforms, where users and commentators highlighted what many perceived as racial insensitivity in confusing two prominent Black female artists. "We all look alike," CNN political commentator Bakari Sellers snarked in response to the incident, referencing his own experience of being misidentified by right-wing media.
One particularly viral post declared "WAP stands for Wrong A** Person," while others shared memes and GIFs of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion reacting dramatically to the confusion. Liberal social media account PatriotTakes straightforwardly noted "That's a different Black woman," and The 19th News political reporter Grace Panetta fact-checked: "Nicki Minaj does not have a song called WAP. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion, however, do."
Historical Context of Misidentification at Fox News
This incident follows a pattern of similar misidentifications involving prominent Black individuals by Fox News personalities. Pastor Trey Ferguson sarcastically referenced this history by tweeting "Megyn Kelly thinks all Black women look alike" in response to Ingraham's mistake, alluding to the former Fox News host's own controversies.
Ironically, Ingraham herself has previously criticised Minaj's music, particularly when the rapper visited the White House during Barack Obama's presidency to discuss the "My Brother's Keeper" initiative. In 2016, Ingraham tweeted lyrics from Minaj's song "Anaconda" while questioning the appropriateness of her White House meeting.
Minaj's Political Transformation and Trump Endorsement
The confusion occurred during discussion of Minaj's remarkable political transformation from an artist once celebrated as an LGBTQ ally to what USA Today columnist Jay Stahl described as "perhaps his only public A-list apostle" of Donald Trump. During her White House appearance, the Trinidadian-born musician declared herself "probably the president's number one fan" while promoting his child investment accounts.
President Trump praised Minaj as an "unbelievable supporter" who had taken "a little heat on occasion" from fans but remained loyal. The rapper later showcased her "Trump Gold Card" on social media - a document offering accelerated citizenship pathways for those making substantial financial contributions to the US Treasury.
Attempted Recovery and Lasting Impact
Following her correction, Ingraham attempted to recover by claiming Minaj was "bridging the gap between her world and Trumpworld" before addressing her mistake directly. "I can't believe I insulted Nicki Minaj, comparing her to Cardi B. Can you tell I'm a country music fan?" she rhetorically asked viewers before moving to another topic.
Despite this attempted humour, the incident has further highlighted ongoing concerns about racial sensitivity in conservative media circles while demonstrating how quickly such mistakes can spread across digital platforms in today's hyper-connected media landscape.
