Nicki Minaj has undergone a striking metamorphosis over the past year, transforming from a contentious rap icon into a prominent conservative provocateur. With a series of viral jabs at Democratic leaders, she has been enthusiastically endorsing MAGA narratives, even garnering accolades from former President Donald Trump and his supporters.
Her combative online persona, particularly her pointed critiques of California Governor Gavin Newsom, has won her favor among the Trump administration and the broader conservative movement, resulting in millions of views and significant endorsements from far-right influencers.
However, beneath the surface of her social media blitz, a sophisticated network of bots has been tirelessly promoting Minaj’s content, as revealed in a recent exclusive report shared with POLITICO. This analysis, conducted by the disinformation detection firm Cyabra, uncovers a coordinated army of over 18,000 bots that strategically enhanced the visibility of Minaj’s posts on the platform X.
The report examines social media activity spanning from November 11 to December 28 and sheds light on how Minaj managed to attract massive online attention, positioning herself as a celebrity whose partnership the White House found advantageous. Just last month, she appeared with Trump at the Trump Accounts Summit, where he publicly praised her and even filmed a lighthearted TikTok video alongside her.
“We don’t typically observe such a high volume of strategic orchestration involving fake actors within the intersection of geopolitics and music culture,” commented Dan Brahmy, CEO of Cyabra. “It’s rare to see this kind of blend between the realms of the digital fake and the entertainment industry.”
The analysis highlights that inauthentic accounts consistently amplified Minaj’s posts, often employing strikingly similar language, especially in the face of criticism from genuine accounts. “Supportive comments generated by fake profiles were mostly short, repetitive, and lacked substantive engagement,” the report notes.
Some of the inauthentic interactions included longer, seemingly organic comments crafted to blend into genuine discussions. For instance, one comment from a purported fan, @LAX76283656, praised Minaj for her bravery, a sentiment deemed insincere by Cyabra.
This pattern indicates a deliberate strategy to infiltrate authentic conversations, thereby boosting the credibility and reach of her content. On one notable day, December 26, fake profiles accounted for 56% of all comments on Minaj’s political posts.
Bot networks have become a staple in modern political landscapes, particularly since the revelations of Russian interference in the 2016 election, where coordinated fake accounts were used to manipulate online discourse. Such campaigns are now commonplace during elections and geopolitical crises but have been less frequently observed in the realm of celebrity influence.
What makes Cyabra’s findings particularly striking is the sustained and organized amplification of Minaj’s posts over time, rather than a mere spike tied to a singular event. When she expressed support for Trump, raised concerns about the persecution of Christians in Nigeria, or criticized Newsom’s ties to the transgender community, the bots were there to bolster her claims, showing a calculated effort to shape the narrative.
Minaj’s representatives did not respond to requests for comment on these findings. However, Alex Bruesewitz, a media and political adviser to Trump who considers Minaj a “very close friend,” expressed confidence that her social media presence is devoid of bot activity. “Nicki has never needed to resort to bots to promote herself because she has one of the largest fan bases of any living musician,” he stated.
Cyabra’s investigation was commissioned by an anonymous source concerned about potential repercussions. The report indicates a high level of confidence—approximately 85%—that the identified profiles are indeed fake. However, should the definition of inauthenticity be narrowed further, this confidence could rise significantly.
When bot accounts amplified content deemed “toxic,” the algorithm propelled Minaj’s posts even further into the digital ether. Cyabra defines toxicity not merely by the usage of negative words but also by the intent behind them—comments designed to stifle productive conversation typically fall into this category. “The amplification effect is notably stronger when discussions revolve around toxic content,” the report highlights, noting a significant overlap in the content boosted by both Minaj and Turning Point USA.
Despite requests for comment, Turning Point USA did not respond. The analysis reveals how both domestic and foreign political narratives can be subtly manipulated through bot networks, often without public knowledge, while influential figures from the hip-hop world increasingly engage in conservative political dialogues.
Interestingly, Minaj’s social media reach was not solely bolstered by bots; authentic accounts of popular conservative influencers, including Dom Lucre and Matt Wallace, also echoed her narratives, suggesting potential strategic collaboration. Brahmy remarked, “Real individuals are exhibiting the same patterns you would expect from a well-coordinated campaign.”
In response to POLITICO’s inquiries about coordination or compensation related to posts about Minaj, Lucre dismissed the notion as “one of the most absurd conspiracy theories” he had encountered, further asserting that if Minaj were manipulating social platforms with bots, there would be definitive evidence to substantiate such claims.
Minaj has increasingly embraced the MAGA movement since July of last year, solidified during her appearance alongside Erika Kirk at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest convention. Her political views have garnered praise from figures like Vice President JD Vance and UN Ambassador Mike Waltz as she has publicly attracted millions of views with her GOP-friendly posts, including sharp criticisms of Newsom.
In one particularly stinging tweet, Minaj derided Newsom as a “career politician” and mocked his attempts to align with progressive ideals, suggesting his political maneuvers were merely attempts to appeal to her brand. “Let’s wait…I think Gavvy’s still transitioning,” she quipped, generating over a million views.
A spokesperson for Newsom, who has been a frequent target of Minaj’s critiques, responded to the report’s findings with derision, stating, “Like most MAGA mouthpieces, we are not surprised Nicki Minaj needs bots to stay relevant.”
The report by Cyabra reveals a staggering 18,784 fake accounts primed to support Minaj’s content, accounting for one-third of the total profiles analyzed—an alarming ratio akin to those seen during political upheavals. Typically, inauthentic accounts make up a mere 7-10% of organic social media dialogue, highlighting the unusual nature of this activity.
Cyabra specializes in identifying online bot activity and misinformation, using advanced algorithms to analyze social media interactions for corporations, legal practices, and government entities.
Experts, such as Jen Golbeck from the University of Maryland, underscore that the purpose of such bot networks extends beyond mere comments; they manipulate algorithms to enhance a post’s visibility by creating the illusion of high engagement. “These interaction bots can significantly amplify your reach,” she explained.
Joel Penney, a professor studying popular culture and politics, noted that Trump’s association with Minaj represents a strategic effort to connect with younger, more diverse voter bases. “They’ve actively sought out celebrities, especially in hip-hop, to advocate for their cause,” he explained. “While they can’t guarantee that all fans will align with their political views, it plays a crucial role in the ongoing battle for public opinion on social media.”
