💥 From Safe Space to Shockwaves: Nicki Minaj’s Comments Spark Outrage Across the Industry Her AmericaFest appearance has fans questioning everything. 👀 Click to uncover what was said — and why the fallout keeps growing.

In a firestorm of controversy that has rocked both the music industry and her loyal fanbase, Nicki Minaj is facing intense backlash for explicitly stating, “”If you are born a boy, be a boy.”” The 43-year-old rapper made the declaration during a December 2025 appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest convention, where she shared the stage with conservative activist Erika Kirk . The comment, which she expanded upon by adding “”there’s nothing wrong with being a boy, how about that?”” has been widely condemned as a direct invalidation of transgender identities, particularly trans women . The moment marked a painful turning point for countless LGBTQ+ fans who had long considered the rapper a safe space within hip-hop, with many taking to social media to express feelings of betrayal and heartbreak.

The backlash intensified as critics connected Minaj’s rhetoric to a broader pattern of alignment with anti-LGBTQ+ politics. During the same AmericaFest appearance, she praised President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance as “”role models”” for young men, and she has since doubled down on her opposition to transgender participation in sports, echoing Trump’s “”No Men in Women’s Sports”” ban .

Perhaps most painfully for her queer supporters, Minaj reportedly made dismissive comments about trans women in the music industry, stating, “”Trans women in rap? Keep it real—no fake queens in my industry”” . Prominent LGBTQ+ figures have responded with outrage, including singer Kim Petras, who directly countered Minaj’s implications by posting, “”Trans kids r healthy btw,”” and actor Billy Porter, who delivered a blistering response to reporters: “”F–k her.

When people show you who they are, believe them the first time”” .

In the wake of the firestorm, Minaj attempted to clarify her position during a February 2026 appearance on “”The Katie Miller Podcast,”” where she insisted she supports transgender adults while drawing a firm line at minors accessing gender-affirming care . She compared such care to allowing a 17-year-old to get breast implants, stating, “”99% of parents wouldn’t let their 17-year-old get breast implants.

So if you wouldn’t let a child get breast implants, you wouldn’t want them to get any kind of surgery”” . She also referenced disputed statistics about suicide rates among trans youth, leading critics to accuse her of relying on debunked or misrepresented research . LGBTQ+ advocates have pointed out that gender-affirming surgeries on minors are extremely rare and only performed when clinically necessary, and that multiple recent studies show such care has positive mental health outcomes for trans youth . For many observers, Minaj’s explanations have done little to mend the rift, with longtime fans mourning the loss of an artist who once championed their community now standing firmly alongside those who seek to diminish it .