Don Lemon Speaks Out After Nicki Minaj Calls Him Homophobic Slur Over ICE Coverage

People.com • January 19, 2026 • entertainment

Key Points:

Don Lemon shared video of a protest in Minneapolis where activists disrupted a church service led by David Easterwood, who is both a pastor and Acting Director of ICE's Saint Paul Field Office.
Rapper Nicki Minaj responded to Lemon's coverage with a homophobic slur and called for Easterwood to be jailed, sparking controversy.
Lemon, who is openly gay, dismissed Minaj's comments as uninformed and criticized her use of the slur in a statement to TMZ.
Minaj has recently been vocal on political and social issues, including defending religious groups and making remarks interpreted as anti-transgender.
The situation in Minnesota reflects heightened tensions between residents and ICE agents following several violent incidents involving ICE enforcement actions