By Rose Miami 
HangupsMusic.com – A recent report from Politico, published on Monday, February 23rd, has cast a spotlight on the significant online amplification of rapper Nicki Minaj’s political commentary, particularly her vocal support for former President Donald Trump and conservative viewpoints. The investigation, conducted by the disinformation detection firm Cyabra, alleges that a substantial portion of the online engagement surrounding Minaj’s pro-Trump and MAGA-aligned posts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) has been driven by an extensive network of automated accounts, commonly known as bots.
According to Cyabra’s findings, which meticulously analyzed social media activity between November 11th and December 28th, an estimated 18,000 bots were engaged in a coordinated effort to boost the visibility and reach of Minaj’s political statements. This alleged digital campaign is suggested to have been instrumental in generating millions of views for her content and solidifying her presence as a celebrity figure of interest to the Trump administration. The report details how this orchestrated activity may have contributed to Minaj’s prominent role at the Trump Accounts Summit, where she was invited on stage by the former president, received public praise, and participated in a collaborative TikTok video.
Dan Brahmy, the CEO and founder of Cyabra, articulated to Politico that the overwhelming majority of the observed online activity stemmed from inauthentic profiles. Brahmy highlighted the rarity of such a large-scale and impactful orchestration of fake actors operating at the intersection of geopolitics and popular culture. "It is scarce in our field to see the combination of the bad and the fake online world with the entertainment world," he stated, emphasizing the unusual nature of this phenomenon. Cyabra’s analysis further indicated a pattern of inauthentic accounts repeatedly praising Minaj’s posts, often employing highly similar language, particularly when her content faced criticism from verified users.
The issue of bot activity on X is not a new one; it predates Elon Musk’s acquisition of the platform and its subsequent rebranding from Twitter. However, the report suggests that the current dominance of these automated accounts on the platform may indicate a diminished capacity to prevent the pervasive spread of propaganda across user timelines.
In response to the Politico report, Alex Bruesewitz, a media adviser for Donald Trump, vehemently refuted the findings, dismissing them as "100% BS." Bruesewitz questioned the reliability of Cyabra’s analysis, alleging that the company has undisclosed ties to individuals within the hip-hop community who are known rivals of Nicki Minaj, specifically mentioning rapper Cardi B. He asserted that Minaj, as "the most popular female rapper of all time," does not require bots to promote her on social media. Bruesewitz further accused Politico’s reporter, Jason Beeferman, of failing to disclose that Cyabra is reportedly partnered with Cardi B’s agent.
Bruesewitz elaborated on his alleged interactions with Cyabra, stating that he was introduced to the company by this agent and even had dinner with its co-founders. He claimed that while he found the individuals likable, he deemed their analytical "tools" to be "significantly unreliable" and their data "almost worthless." Bruesewitz also suggested that Elon Musk had previously engaged Cyabra’s services at X but subsequently dismissed them. He concluded by calling the alleged non-disclosure of these relationships "incredibly unethical and inappropriate," especially given the public disputes within the music industry, and declared, "Fake news is the enemy of the people!"
Cardi B, upon becoming aware of Bruesewitz’s statements on X, responded with considerable anger, denying any involvement in the alleged bot activity and threatening legal action for defamation. She stated that Bruesewitz had involved her in a matter that did not concern her and asserted that Cyabra is a legitimate data company with a diverse investor base, including prominent figures like Mike G and Mike Pompeo, and clients such as Pepsi and Elon Musk. Cardi B urged Bruesewitz to focus on the validity of data itself and to cease involving her in his "bullshit," emphasizing her complete lack of connection to the report’s subject. She reiterated her intention to sue him, referring to him with a disparaging term.
The public exchange between Alex Bruesewitz and Cardi B continued across multiple posts on X, with both parties engaging in a heated debate concerning the Politico article and its implications for Nicki Minaj. The intense back-and-forth between the Trump media adviser and the Grammy-winning artist further amplified the narrative surrounding the allegations of bot-driven amplification of Minaj’s political discourse. The ongoing digital confrontation highlighted the complex and often contentious nature of online political influence and the scrutiny faced by public figures in the digital age. The broader implications of the Cyabra report, regardless of the personal disputes it ignited, raise significant questions about the authenticity of online engagement and the potential for manipulation within the social media landscape.