Nicki Minaj has as soon as once more discovered herself on the heart of controversy, this time following a joke made at her expense throughout the opening monologue of the 2026 Grammy Awards.
The rapper, who was not in attendance on the ceremony, took to X shortly after host Trevor Noah referenced her current public help for U.S. President Donald Trump. What adopted was a string of posts wherein Minaj leveled accusations and conspiratorial claims in opposition to a number of high-profile figures within the leisure {industry}.
The Joke That Sparked the Backlash
Trevor Noah on the #Grammys: “Nicki Minaj is just not right here. She’s nonetheless on the White Home with Donald Trump discussing essential points” pic.twitter.com/wJOP0WMHGz
— Deadline (@DEADLINE) February 2, 2026
Through the Grammys opening monologue, Noah famous Minaj’s absence earlier than pivoting right into a satirical bit tying her to Trump. Mimicking the president, he joked that Minaj was “nonetheless on the White Home with Donald Trump discussing essential points,” earlier than delivering a punchline about who actually has “the largest ass.”
The second drew loud reactions contained in the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, the place Noah was internet hosting the Grammys for the sixth — and last — time. The comic, who additionally served as an government producer for the ceremony, largely averted overt political commentary all through the night time, however his opening set leaned into topical humor tied to present public discourse.
Minaj’s On-line Response Escalates
Trevor refuses to return out the closet when everybody within the {industry} is aware of his boyfriend.
Allegedly pic.twitter.com/Um9kIp2Nso
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 2, 2026
Inside hours, Minaj started posting a sequence of messages on X that shortly went viral. In a number of tweets, she accused Noah of hiding his sexuality, framing the declare as an allegation. She then turned her consideration to Jay-Z, posting photographs alongside captions implying inappropriate relationships involving underage girls. These posts didn’t cite proof and had been introduced as assertions slightly than verified claims.
Are y’all understanding that these ppl have been sacrificing youngsters as a manner of gaining & sustaining energy? If you happen to ever vote DemonCrat once more, you’re simply as soulless as they’re & will perish. Perhaps it’s time for me to do some story occasions — since I used to be making an attempt to not say what I… pic.twitter.com/yZTcthaMpM
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 2, 2026
The tone of Minaj’s posts escalated additional as she invoked conspiracy-laden rhetoric involving secret rituals, political events, and industry-wide corruption. In a single tweet, she alleged that unnamed figures in leisure had been concerned in violent acts as a method of sustaining energy. In one other, she prompt that her tasks had been intentionally sabotaged following feedback she made about abuse she says she skilled.
Minaj additionally claimed she wouldn’t launch new music till her recording contract is renegotiated and stated ongoing investigations would expose what she described as sabotage tied to Billboard. None of those claims has been substantiated by public information or impartial reporting.
Profession Context and Trade Tensions
Minaj’s relationship with the Grammy Awards has lengthy been contentious. Regardless of 12 profession nominations, she has by no means received a Grammy. Her most up-to-date nomination got here in 2024 for “Barbie World,” a collaboration tied to Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie.
Lately, Minaj has more and more positioned herself as being at odds with {industry} establishments, usually framing criticism or setbacks as coordinated efforts in opposition to her. The Grammy second seems to have tapped into that broader narrative.
A Grammy Night time Heavy on Commentary
Noah’s monologue set the tone for a ceremony that blended cultural reflection with political humor. He referenced shifts in American life since 1999, joked about superstar tradition, and made repeated quips about nationwide politics all through the night time.
The ceremony additionally marked a transitional second for the Recording Academy. This 12 months’s broadcast was the ultimate Grammys ceremony to air on CBS after greater than 5 a long time. Starting subsequent 12 months, the awards will transfer to ABC beneath a brand new long-term cope with Disney, with streaming on Hulu and Disney+ beginning in 2027.
Musically, Kendrick Lamar led the 2026 nominations with 9, adopted by Lady Gaga with seven. Sabrina Carpenter and Dangerous Bunny every obtained six nominations, competing throughout a number of main classes.
Fallout Nonetheless Unfolding
Your favourite artist has been training rituals in a satanic cult the place they take infants from different nations & mutilate & kill them as a type of a blood sacrifice to their God. You see, when your grasp is devil, you have to continually shed blood. Nevertheless, the JIG IS UP. pic.twitter.com/AFyiiWGATm
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) February 2, 2026
As of now, neither Trevor Noah nor Jay-Z has publicly responded to Minaj’s posts. X has not indicated whether or not any motion will likely be taken relating to the content material, and Minaj has continued posting intermittently because the preliminary outburst.
What started as a late-night awards present joke has now changed into one other chapter in Minaj’s more and more public standoff with components of the leisure {industry} — one taking part in out, as soon as once more, in actual time on social media.
Featured picture: Getty Photos
Nicki Minaj Flaunts $1M Trump Gold Card After Publicly Backing President Donald Trump
