To say people were unhappy with Nicki Minaj showing up at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest last month would be putting it lightly. The Trinidadian rapper’s fairly sudden embrace of conservative politics has not sat well with many longtime fans or the wider public. For some, that frustration has gone beyond online reactions and turned into something more formal.
In case you missed it, tens of thousands of people are now backing a petition calling for Nicki Minaj’s deportation. According to Billboard, roughly 50,000 individuals have signed the document, which has been circulating on Change.org since December 27.
Beneath an image of Minaj high fiving Erika Kirk, the widowed wife of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, the petition’s description lays out the disappointment surrounding Nicki’s recent political stance.
“This is personal for those of us who watched Nicki rise as a beacon of hope, only to feel abandoned by her shift in values.”
The statement goes on to say, “Her public platform carries weight and responsibility, and her recent statements are a stark contrast to the solidarity she once showed, leaving many feeling deflated and disillusioned. Deporting Nicki Minaj back to Trinidad would serve as a reminder that public figures need to be accountable for their words and the broader impact they have on diverse communities.”
For now, it remains to be seen whether any of this leads to real consequences. That said, Nicki previously shared in 2024 that she is not a U.S. citizen. She has also said in the past that she entered the United States illegally when she was five years old.
Despite the Trump administration’s hardline approach to undocumented immigration, Nicki has continued to stand by the former president.
Her public support began in October 2025 and gained even more attention in November when she applauded his comments about the reported persecution of Christians in Nigeria. Beyond social media, she also addressed the issue in a speech at a United Nations event.
“I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue,” she said. “And his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria and to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to express their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”
Sade will not be attending their Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony this week.
The English group, made up of Sade Adu, Paul Denman, Stuart Matthewman, and Andrew Hale, are among this year's inductees into the prestigious institution. The ceremony is scheduled to take place at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this Saturday.
However, a representative for Sade confirmed on Tuesday through the band's official website that none of the members would be attending the event.
"We're sorry that we won't be able to join everyone in person to celebrate alongside the other artists. However, our absence does not lessen how deeply this recognition means to us," they stated. "Being welcomed into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a wonderful honour and a meaningful opportunity to express our gratitude, not just to everyone who voted for us, but to every person who has made our music part of their lives."
The representative also acknowledged their manager Roger Davies for his support and paid tribute to the late engineer and co-producer Mike Pela, who passed away in 2022.
"We owe so much to everyone who has supported us throughout this journey," they continued, before signing the message: "Sade, Stuart, Andrew, and Paul. Mike Pela, the fifth member of Sade... This recognition belongs to you just as much as it does to us, Mike. You will always be our soul mate."
Sade will be joining Oasis among the artists missing this year's ceremony. Liam Gallagher previously addressed his absence in a message on X, saying the journey was "too far" for him to make just "for the night".
The other musicians being recognised at this weekend's ceremony include Billy Idol, Phil Collins, Iron Maiden, Joy Division/New Order, the late Luther Vandross, and Wu-Tang Clan.
