Nicki Minaj Deletes Instagram After Turning Point USA Backlash

Rapper Nicki Minaj has apparently deleted or deactivated her Instagram account following widespread public backlash over her surprising appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest in Phoenix, Arizona, on December 21, 2025. As of December 24, 2025, searches for her official @nickiminaj Instagram return no visible profile, leading observers to conclude that she removed the page amid mounting criticism over her political statements.

The removal of the profile — which previously boasted hundreds of millions of followers — has sparked discussion across social media about whether the move was driven by backlash, personal choice, or a strategic retreat from criticism tied to her comments at the conservative event.

What Sparked the Backlash

Minaj’s appearance at the Turning Point USA event, where she shared the stage with Erika Kirk — widow of the late conservative activist Charlie Kirk — drew immediate attention because she praised former President Donald Trump, called Vice President J.D. Vance “assassin” (intended as praise), and criticised California Governor Gavin Newsom. Her remarks were polarising online, especially given the timing, just months after Charlie Kirk’s assassination at a separate event.

The term “assassin” in particular caught fire on social platforms due to its awkward association with the killing of Charlie Kirk earlier in 2025, which was widely reported and confirmed by Reuters.

Social media users amplified clips of her remarks and linked them with broader political debates, leading to a spike in heated responses from both supporters and critics. Some fans accused her of abandoning her traditional fan base, while others defended her right to speak publicly about political issues.

Did She Really Lose Millions of Followers?

Rumours were claiming Minaj lost up to 10 million Instagram followers as a result of the backlash, though these figures appear to be exaggerated. While her account is inactive, publicly available data shows a standard fluctuation in followers of around 3–4 million from November to December 2025, which is normal for accounts of that size and not necessarily linked directly to the event. There is no credible confirmation of a 10-million follower loss tied specifically to the Turning Point USA appearance. These numbers fall within routine changes seen on large public profiles and may include periodic platform purges or unrelated shifts.

Minaj remains active on X (formerly Twitter), where she has posted photos from her AmericaFest experience and engaged with supporters and critics alike. The absence of her Instagram page does not prevent her from speaking publicly through other channels.

Fan and Public Reaction

The reaction among fans and commentators has been sharply divided. Some longtime followers have expressed disappointment and say they are unfollowing or blocking her music on platforms like Spotify as a form of protest. Others argue that celebrity politics inevitably brings backlash and that Minaj is exercising her right to express her views, even if unpopular with sections of her audience.

Voices supportive of Minaj argue that her political engagement and personal evolution should not result in censorship or public shaming, while critics see her turn to conservative figures as a break from the values many originally associated with her brand and fan base.

Overall, the disappearance of her Instagram account highlights the intense scrutiny public figures face when crossing into political discourse, especially within deeply polarized social environments.

You might also want to read: Wild Nicki Minaj Comments From Her Turning Point Appearance