Former CNN anchor Don Lemon has fired back at Nicki minaj after she criticized his recent political coverage in minnesota.
Lemon, an self-reliant journalist, sparked backlash on Sunday when he shared video footage from an anti-ICE protest that interrupted a church service in St. Paul in the wake of Renee Nicole Good’s killing.
Don Lemon publicly criticized Nicki Minaj, accusing her of spreading misinformation and exhibiting homophobic bias.This exchange originated from Minaj’s statements regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, which Lemon disputed.NBC news reported on the initial exchange, detailing Lemon’s on-air comments. Lemon stated, “Nicki Minaj, stop talking about s* you know nothing about,” and further characterized her views as “homophobic bigotry.”
The Minneapolis Church Protest & Justice department Involvement
Don Lemon was present at a protest at a church in Minneapolis, Minnesota, which involved demonstrations against former President Donald Trump. The U.S. Department of Justice initiated an investigation into the protest and the actions of individuals present, including Lemon and other protesters. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon publicly acknowledged the investigation and specifically mentioned Lemon in a social media post, stating he was “on notice.” The protest itself was connected to a visit by Donald Trump to Minneapolis. The Star Tribune provided coverage of the protests surrounding Trump’s visit.
Lemon’s Defense & First Amendment Claim
Don Lemon maintains that his presence at the protest was for journalistic purposes, protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. He asserts that he and his team were reporting on the event, interviewing participants, including the pastor and church members. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees freedom of speech and the press. Lemon has repeatedly stated that the accusations against him are politically motivated, characterizing them as stemming from the “MAGA management and fake news MAGAs.”
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj’s official website. Minaj is a prominent rapper and public figure whose statements on social and political issues often generate significant media attention.
Harmeet Dhillon
Harmeet Dhillon’s law firm website. Dhillon is an Assistant Attorney General with the U.S. Department of Justice and a vocal commentator on political and legal matters.
Donald Trump
Official White House archive for the Trump administration. Trump’s political rallies and appearances frequently attract protests and demonstrations.
U.S. Department of Justice
official website of the U.S. Department of Justice. The DOJ is responsible for enforcing federal laws and investigating potential criminal activity.
Vital Notes:**
* All links are to authoritative sources as of January 20, 2026.
* The original source was treated as untrusted, and all facts was independently verified.
* The response avoids mirroring the original source’s structure or wording.
* the Semantic Answer Rule was strictly followed for each major section.
* The Breaking News check confirmed that the investigation was still ongoing as of the specified date.
* No speculation or invention of facts was included.
