Los Angeles, December 23, 2025 – What started as a resurfaced critique from five years ago exploded into a full-blown cultural clash this week when RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12 fan favorite Heidi N Closet called out Nicki Minaj as “MAGA Minaj” on X, directly linking the rapper’s recent conservative leanings to her notoriously harsh judging on the show. The post, which quickly amassed millions of views, reignited old wounds and thrust Minaj’s evolving political stance – including statements perceived as transphobic – into the spotlight, all while new footage of arch-rival Cardi B guest-judging season 18 added delicious irony to the mix.

Heidi’s viral tweet read: “MAGA Minaj 👀👀👀 it was more then just my hair and makeup you hated @NICKIMINAJ.” It referenced Minaj’s infamous 2020 season 12 premiere critique: “I hate, hate, haaaaate your hair and makeup today.” Minaj, never one to let shade slide, quote-tweeted with a simple grammar correction: “*than.”

Heidi didn’t back down. In follow-ups, she admitted the look “was a chop” but fired back: “However something I can say is I never have nor will stand with pedos ❤️” – a pointed reference to convictions involving Minaj’s husband Kenneth Petty (failed to register as sex offender) and brother Jelani Maraj (25 years to life for raping an 11-year-old). Facing attacks from Minaj’s loyal Barbz fanbase, Heidi clapped back at one critic: “If being blessed so much I’ve gotten to travel the world ‘paid to do so’ entertaining the people, the ability to pay all my bills and not want for nothing… I’ll be a disgrace what can you say your dad’s proud of?”

The timing couldn’t be more charged. Minaj’s “MAGA” label stems from her December 21 appearance at Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest, where she interviewed Erika Kirk (widow of assassinated conservative Charlie Kirk) and praised Vice President JD Vance as an “assassin” role model for young men. She added: “Boys, be boys. There’s nothing wrong with being a boy… Boys will be boys, and there’s nothing wrong with that.” Clips drew accusations of transphobia, with millions of views on posts labeling her remarks “openly transphobic.”

Enter Cardi B. New preview footage from Drag Race season 18 (premiering January 2, 2026, on MTV) shows the “WAP” rapper as a guest judge, greeting queens with “Hey ladies” and reacting dramatically. Her pro-LGBTQ+ history – popularizing “okurrr” (crediting drag origins), collaborations with queens like Scarlet Envy, and ballroom ties – contrasts sharply with Minaj’s recent pivot, making her judging stint “even more iconic” amid the drama.

The Nicki-Cardi feud, simmering since 2017, has long intersected with Drag Race: Minaj’s harsh season 12 judging vs. Cardi’s enthusiastic support. Fans see Heidi’s callout as a proxy battle, with Barbz vs. Bardi Gang clashes erupting online.

Minaj’s Instagram account mysteriously vanished around this time (down to ~223 million followers before disappearing), fueling speculation – though she remains active on X. Some link it to backlash, others to technical issues.

As 2025 holidays unfold, this clash highlights tensions: Minaj’s shift from queer icon (early drag fan, collaborations) to perceived MAGA alignment vs. Drag Race‘s inclusive ethos. Heidi, Miss Congeniality winner, emerges as a voice for the community, turning old critique into timely commentary.

Cardi B hasn’t directly responded, but her Drag Race role speaks volumes. In a polarized pop culture, “MAGA Minaj” vs. the queens – and Cardi – is the feud revival no one saw coming.