Nicki Minaj Under Fire After She Claps Back At Gavin Newsom’s 'Trans Kids' Comment

Nicki Minajis weighing in after California Governor Gavin Newsom reignited debate around transgender youth, and her sharp response has intensified an already volatile cultural conversation. The controversy began after Newsom said in a recent interview that he wants “to see trans kids,” a remark he framed as an expression of empathy and support for the LGBTQ+ community. The governor emphasized that his stance is personal, pointing to his long record of signing pro-trans legislation in California and noting that he has a trans godson.

Newsom’s office has frequently highlighted his history as one of the nation’s most prominent LGBTQ+ allies. Over the years, he has signed legislation strengthening protections for transgender Californians, banning discrimination, expanding privacy rights, supporting access to gender-affirming care, and even requiring gender-neutral sections in retail stores. He has also publicly acknowledged the high rates of suicide and depression among trans youth and warned against dehumanizing rhetoric.

Still, his relationship with the trans community has grown more complicated. In early 2025, Newsom drew backlash from LGBTQ+ advocates after calling the participation of trans women in women’s sports “deeply unfair,” comments that aligned him with critics of inclusion and left some former allies accusing him of betraying vulnerable communities, even as his administration continued to point to his broader legislative record.

That context didn’t stop Nicki Minaj from blasting his latest remarks about wanting to "see trans kids."

Responding on social media, Minaj wrote, “Imagine being the guy running on wanting to see trans kids. Haha. Not even a trans ADULT would run on that. Normal adults wake up & think they want to see HEALTHY, SAFE, HAPPY kids… GavOUT”

The post quickly went viral, turning Newsom’s wording into a flashpoint and pulling Minaj directly into the ongoing political firestorm.

Minaj’s comment triggered a wave of responses, with many users accusing her of excluding transgender children from the very idea of safety and well-being. One user wrote, “Healthy, safe, happy kids include trans kids. The LGBTQ+ community is discriminated against enough. Let’s not perpetuate exclusion.”

Another commenter took aim directly at Minaj, saying, “How is anyone actually excusing this anymore? Nicki please log off and stop tweeting, you used to be so iconic and you’re just continuously damaging the legacy you worked so hard for.”

Others argued that the framing on both sides was fueling distrust rather than productive discussion. “This kind of framing isn’t helping anyone,” one post read. “Conversations about trans kids should be about safety, support, and facts, not turning them into punchlines or political ammo.”

Another user focused on leadership optics, writing, “The whole framing just kills trust in leadership. If your priority sounds invasive instead of protective, coordination and public confidence collapse fast.”

Minaj’s comments arrive amid renewed backlash over her perceived alignment with Donald Trump and his policies. Earlier this year, the rapper was criticized after she appeared to endorse the White House’s use of her music by reposting an official TikTok video promoting the Trump administration’s agenda, including anti-trans and anti-immigrant messaging, set to her 2012 hit “Va Va Voom.”

The video, originally shared by the White House’s verified TikTok account, featured a series of slides highlighting Trump’s priorities and accomplishments. One slide showed the former president from behind with the text, “2025 will be my year!” while another listed talking points such as “No men in women’s sports,” “Criminal illegals are being deported,” and “World peace.”

The caption read, “2025 has been our year. All we needed was a new president.”

Minaj reposted the clip to her own TikTok account without commentary, a move that immediately drew criticism from fans and activists who viewed it as an implicit endorsement of policies widely condemned by LGBTQ+ and immigrant advocacy groups.

Minaj has also been blasted for what critics are calling hypocrisy surrounding her apparent support of Trump’s immigration policies. After reposting messaging that celebrated the deportation of undocumented immigrants, social media users were quick to point out the rapper’s own past statements about her immigration status.

In an interview, Minaj revealed that she was brought to the United States from Trinidad and Tobago illegally when she was just five years old. That admission has resurfaced amid the current backlash, with critics arguing that her amplification of anti-immigrant rhetoric directly contradicts her own lived experience.

The scrutiny is now snowballing, with fans and critics alike questioning what Minaj's next move will be.