Madonna Defends Altered Pictures … Of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela

breaking news

Madonna is defending photoshopped images of Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela she posted on Instagram … claiming the pics were never intended to insult anyone.

If you missed it … Madonna posted a series of pics on her page Friday — showing the faces of Mandela, MLK and various icons bound with black string — like the cover of her new album “Rebel Heart.”

Following an online backlash — where some longtime fans swore they were done with — Madonna took to her Facebook to defend the pics … saying, “This is neither a crime or an insult or racist.”

She adds, “I’m saying they are Rebel Hearts too.”

Prompt clarify yourself.