Azealia Banks has reignited her long-running feud with Nicki Minaj, publicly mocking the Trinidad-born rapper’s vocal support for Donald Trump while highlighting that Minaj is not a U.S. citizen and cannot vote in American elections.
In a recent social media post from around May 17-18, Banks wrote: “Citizenship when sis? Destroying ur fan base for a man u cant even vote for looks crazy. Azealia Banks & Cardi B are US citizens , we can vote.” She added that Nicki “didnt even vote in Trinidads elections this past April,” framing her comments as genuine concern rather than hate: “Im not hating im being geniune. What is it that she wants or needs from trump…”
The jab is factually grounded on the citizenship issue. Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj on December 8, 1982, in Saint James, Trinidad and Tobago, has lived in the United States since age five as a legal permanent resident. She has repeatedly confirmed she is not a naturalized U.S. citizen. In a 2024 livestream, Minaj stated: “I’m not a citizen of America, I was born in Trinidad and Tobago… I’ve paid millions in taxes… and I’m still doing so.”
In early 2026, Minaj received significant attention after appearing with Trump and receiving a “Gold Card” under his administration’s fast-track investor program for high-net-worth individuals. She posted about “finalizing that citizenship paperwork as we speak,” suggesting the card — which accelerates residency and citizenship processing for substantial contributors — was advancing her path to full citizenship. As of mid-May 2026, however, she has not been confirmed as a full U.S. citizen. Non-citizens, even long-term legal residents, are barred from voting in U.S. federal elections.
By contrast, both Azealia Banks and Cardi B are native-born U.S. citizens. Banks was born in Harlem, New York City, while Cardi B (Belcalis Almánzar) was born in the Bronx to Dominican and Trinidadian parents.
Minaj has intensified her public praise for Trump throughout 2025 and 2026, describing herself as his “#1 fan” and appearing at events promoting initiatives like “Trump Accounts.” She has cited personal safety concerns — including multiple swattings at her home — along with broader issues such as crime, cancel culture, and what she views as unfair treatment of Trump. Her supporters, known as the Barbs, argue that her decades of residency, massive tax contributions, and cultural impact in the U.S. justify an expedited path to citizenship.
Banks has used the situation to question Minaj’s motives, previously criticizing what she called performative or “thirsty” loyalty, including Minaj’s use of phrases like “Papi Trumpo.” The latest round fits into years of indirect shade between the two rappers, with Banks known for her unfiltered, often chaotic social media commentary.
The core of Banks’ taunt — that Minaj is alienating fans for a candidate she cannot vote for — remains a pointed, if subjective, critique. Whether it is meaningfully “destroying” Minaj’s fanbase is debatable; the rapper continues to maintain massive commercial success.
As of now, neither Minaj nor her team has publicly responded to Banks’ most recent comments.
