"What started as a clumsy, half-defensive, off-the-cuff statement about trans kids has metastasized into something far stranger: one of the most beloved rappers of the 21st century declaring herself locked in mortal online combat with the governor of California. This largely one-sided feud culminated, fittingly, with the rumored presidential hopeful tweeting an edit that uses a 12-second clip from Megan Thee Stallion's diss track about Nicki Minaj to call the current president a sex offender."
"The inciting incident was Newsom's appearance on The Ezra Klein Show. In an attempt to justify the discrepancy between his stance on trans athletes and his stance on trans people at large, he uttered the (apparently damning) phrase "I want to see trans kids," before adding that he has a trans godson and has signed more pro-trans legislation than any other governor."
A clipped quote from Gavin Newsom about wanting to "see trans kids" ignited online outrage after his Ezra Klein Show appearance. Newsom clarified by noting his trans godson and extensive pro-trans legislation, but the remark was repackaged and amplified across social platforms. Nicki Minaj amplified the moment by framing the comment as politically toxic and mocked Newsom on X, escalating the exchange into a celebrity-driven culture-war confrontation. The interaction devolved into performative spectacle, with edited clips and provocative posts turning a hedged policy comment into a broader viral controversy that merged entertainment and politics.
Read at Jezebel
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