Nicki Minaj publicly thanked President Donald Trump after he called attention to the wave of violence against Christians in Nigeria, and Republican leaders have rallied behind the move to designate Nigeria a country of particular concern. The exchange put a spotlight on brutal attacks, kidnappings, and village burnings that have displaced thousands and killed many. Officials say Washington must act and push allies to stop the slaughter and defend religious freedom.
“Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other,” .
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Friday.
“The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries. We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world!” He also said he had directed congressional allies to investigate and consider formal steps to confront the crisis.
“Even being conservative, it’s probably 4,000 to 8,000 Christians killed annually,” Mark Walker, Trump’s ambassador-designate for International Religious Freedom, said as he outlined the scale of the violence. He pointed to groups like ISWAP and Islamist Fulani militias and urged the Nigerian government to act more decisively. Washington insiders want clear metrics and accountability for progress.
https://x.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1984566555460485280
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz thanked Minaj for “using your platform to speak out in defense of the Christians being persecuted in Nigeria.” “We cannot allow this to continue,” Waltz added. “Every brother and sister of Christ must band together and say, ‘Enough!'”
“Nigeria is the most dangerous nation on Earth to follow Christ,” the House Appropriations Committee said in a statement in response to the redesignation. That blunt assessment reflects years of reports about farms, churches, and whole communities attacked with impunity.
“For simply practicing their faith, Christians are actively being kidnapped, attacked, and slaughtered. With President Trump announcing he will be redesignating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern, the United States is making clear in one resolute voice: religious persecution will not be tolerated. The scourge of anti-Christian violence and oppression of other religious minorities by radical Islamic terrorists is an affront to religious freedom. This is a critical step in mobilizing leadership and attention to confront evil extremism.”
The committee vowed that once the government shutdown is over, its members will “continue moving full-year appropriations across the finish line to uphold your priorities. We know you’ll be ready at your desk with a pen in hand.” Reporters asked for comment from Minaj’s team but did not receive a response.
