Fox News host Laura Ingraham found herself at the center of a viral backlash this week after confusing Nicki Minaj with Cardi B during a live television segment, a moment that spread quickly online and drew sharp criticism from viewers.
The mix-up happened as Ingraham was discussing Donald Trump’s growing public association with Minaj, who has recently praised the former president and described herself as his “No. 1 fan.” While criticizing explicit lyrics she said conservatives had long objected to, Ingraham referenced the song “WAP.”
“I won’t say what that stands for,” Ingraham said on air, per OK! Magazine, before pausing and correcting herself. “Oh, that’s Cardi B. That’s how bad I am. That’s Cardi B. I stand corrected.”
Fox News’ Laura Ingraham confuses Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “WAP” with Nicki Minaj’s.
— Buzzing Pop (@BuzzingPop) January 29, 2026
The brief correction did little to slow the reaction.
Clips of the moment circulated rapidly on X and other platforms, where users questioned how a prime-time cable news host could confuse two of the most recognizable artists in modern hip-hop — especially while discussing their music and politics.
“Wait, Nicki sang WAP? Since when?” one viewer wrote. Another added, “Imagine being a journalist speaking on live television and getting the facts wrong.”
Others framed the mistake more pointedly.
“Confusing Nicki and Cardi is crazy,” one post read. “But to them we all look alike.”
Laura Ingraham confuses @nickiminaj with @iamcardib while discussing “WAP” on Fox News. @ryanegorman delivers a quick fact-check. #FoxNews pic.twitter.com/Pl8D7sTN7G
— The Ryan Gorman Show (@RyanGormanShow) January 29, 2026
The criticism landed at a moment when Minaj herself has been dominating headlines for reasons far removed from music. Earlier this week, she appeared alongside Trump at a public event, holding his hand as she addressed supporters and praised him in glowing terms.
“I am probably the president’s No. 1 fan, and that’s not going to change,” Minaj told the crowd, dismissing backlash to her support. “The hate does not affect me at all. It actually motivates me to support him more.”
She later shared an image online of a Trump Gold Card, a visa-style program promoted by Trump that requires a $1 million contribution and a $15,000 nonrefundable processing fee, along with extensive background checks.
The card, and Minaj’s public embrace of Trump, have already drawn intense reaction across political and pop culture spaces. Ingraham’s on-air mistake added another layer to that conversation. And it’s not about policy or ideology, but rather credibility.
So she can’t tell the difference between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj? That is like confusing Obama with Trump.
— THEE ALFA HOUSE (@thee_alfa_house) January 29, 2026
Part of the reason that the moment sparked such a big reaction was because it reinforced a familiar frustration. People in public spaces are often caught speaking authoritatively about Black artists and culture without basic accuracy. For some, the confusion was less about a single error and more about what it signaled.
Ingraham did not issue a separate apology beyond her on-air correction. Fox News has not publicly commented on the incident.
Neither Minaj nor Cardi B has responded directly to the mix-up. Online, however, fans of both artists weighed in quickly, with many pointing out that the two rappers have distinct careers, public personas, and discographies — differences they said should be obvious to anyone discussing them on national television.
What lasted longer than the clip itself was the reaction. Ingraham moved on to the next topic. The internet did not.
