Nicki Minaj’s social media reportedly amplified by 18,000 bots

Report finds thousands of fake accounts boosted Nicki Minaj’s conservative posts on X

Nicki Minaj’s social media activity was amplified by more than 18,000 fake accounts during a recent surge in conservative political commentary, according to an analysis shared with POLITICO.

The report, compiled by disinformation detection company Cyabra, examined activity on X between November 11 and December 28. It identified 18,784 profiles assessed as inauthentic, representing 33 per cent of the total profiles evaluated. Cyabra said it is about 85 per cent confident the accounts are fake, with confidence levels rising into the 90s under narrower criteria.

The analysis found coordinated networks repeatedly amplified Minaj’s posts with praise using “highly similar language”, particularly when authentic users criticised her. “Supportive comments generated by fake profiles were predominantly brief, repetitive, and low in semantic complexity, consisting largely of praising keywords and positive hashtags rather than original or substantive engagement,” the report stated.

One example cited was a comment reading, “Nicki you are brave for living your truth, people might not always agree with what’s being played out, but as an artist and watching your growth as a person is inspiring,” posted by an account Cyabra deemed fake.

The report also found that on December 26, inauthentic profiles made up 56 per cent of comments on Minaj’s political posts. It concluded, “When the conversation is limited to toxic content, a substantially stronger amplification effect emerges.”

Minaj has drawn attention in recent months for endorsing conservative causes and appearing alongside President Donald Trump at the Trump Accounts Summit. 

Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump adviser, said, “Nicki has never used bot activity to promote herself on social media, because she doesn’t need to. She has one of the largest fan bases of any musician that’s alive today.”

Cyabra said such large-scale coordination is more commonly associated with elections or geopolitical events than with the music industry.