Rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent, the man behind hits like “In Da Club” and a net worth pushing $40 million, is back in the headlines—and the courtroom. On Tuesday, a California-based advocacy group filed a lawsuit against Curtis Jackson (50 Cent’s real name) in Los Angeles Superior Court, accusing him of defamation and emotional distress.
The suit stems from a now-deleted Instagram post where the 50-year-old star bluntly declared that “men who date trans women are gay.” The post, which racked up over 2 million views in hours, has ignited a firestorm online, with critics slamming it as transphobic and supporters hailing it as “free speech.”
The controversy erupted late last week when 50 Cent shared the comment amid a broader rant on social media about celebrity relationships. Responding to rumors about rapper Lil Yachty dating a transgender model, he wrote: “Yachty wildin’. Bros dating trans women? Nah, that’s gay. Real talk.” The post vanished within 24 hours, but screenshots spread like wildfire across X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Reddit. By Monday, #50CentGayGate was trending nationwide, polarizing fans and fueling debates on gender, sexuality, and hip-hop culture.
The lawsuit comes from Trans Rights Now (TRN), a nonprofit representing LGBTQ+ advocacy interests. According to the 15-page complaint, obtained by this outlet, TRN claims 50 Cent’s words caused “irreparable harm” to its members, including two named plaintiffs: a 28-year-old trans woman from Atlanta and her cisgender male partner. They allege the rapper’s statement falsely painted their relationship as homosexual, leading to harassment, doxxing, and job loss for the man. “Mr. Jackson’s platform amplifies hate,” the filing states. “His words aren’t just opinion—they defame real people, inciting violence against trans individuals and their partners.”
Legal experts are split on the case’s merits. Entertainment lawyer Rachel Kim, speaking to us off the record, called it a “long shot.” “Defamation requires proving ‘actual malice’ for public figures, and 50 Cent could argue this is protected speech under the First Amendment,” she said. “He’s no stranger to controversy—remember his 2023 beef with Diddy?” Indeed, 50 Cent has a history of provocative posts. Back in 2020, he mocked trans model DaniLeigh’s ex, DaBaby, with similar jabs, drawing backlash but no lawsuits. This time, TRN is seeking $5 million in damages, plus an injunction to prevent future “hate speech.”
50 Cent hasn’t directly addressed the suit yet, but his camp fired back via a statement to TMZ: “Curtis stands by his truth. This is America—people can speak their minds without Big Tech or activists suing them into silence.” The rapper, known for his no-holds-barred persona, has built a brand on candor. From trolling Oprah in the 2000s to his Power TV empire, 50 Cent thrives on pushing buttons. Fans on his side see the lawsuit as cancel culture run amok. “50 speaking facts,” tweeted one supporter with 50k followers. “Attraction to male biology is gay, period. Science over feelings.”
Yet the backlash has been fierce. GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ media watchdog, condemned the remarks as “dangerous rhetoric” that erodes trans acceptance. Prominent voices piled on: Lizzo called it “peak ignorance” on Instagram Live, while trans actress Hunter Schafer tweeted, “50 Cent’s stuck in 2005. Love who you love—labels are for albums, not hearts.” Data underscores the stakes. A 2025 Human Rights Campaign report noted a 30% spike in anti-trans violence last year, often fueled by online vitriol from influencers with massive reach. 50 Cent’s 30 million Instagram followers make him a prime offender in critics’ eyes.
This isn’t just celebrity gossip—it’s a microcosm of America’s culture wars. The debate hinges on definitions: Is a man attracted to a trans woman (biologically male) inherently gay? Biologists and psychologists largely say no, emphasizing gender identity over chromosomes. The DSM-5, psychiatry’s bible, recognizes transgender identity as valid, not delusional. Still, polls show division. A 2026 Pew Research survey found 45% of American men under 40 view trans-inclusive dating as “confusing,” versus 25% of women. In hip-hop, where machismo reigns, such views persist—think Boosie Badazz’s similar rants or Ye’s past trans comments.
For trans Americans, the toll is personal. “My boyfriend gets side-eyes at bars because of idiots like 50,” one anonymous plaintiff told us. Dating apps like Tinder report a 15% drop in trans matches post-viral scandals. Meanwhile, 50 Cent’s business feels the heat: Power Book IV viewership dipped 5% this season, per Nielsen, amid boycott calls.
As the suit heads to discovery—where 50’s deleted posts and DMs could surface—expect more drama. Will he settle quietly, like his 2022 bankruptcy tussle? Or double down, à la his Diddy disses? One thing’s clear: In an era of pronouns and purple hair, 50 Cent remains defiantly old-school.
The entertainment world watches closely. Lil Yachty, the apparent spark, laughed it off: “50 my uncle, he trolling.” But for trans couples, it’s no joke. Court date: March 15. Stay tuned.
