Fans of Nicki Minaj gathered to protest the Covid-19 vaccine after the pop star claimed it harmed a friend of a relative.
On Wednesday, Minaj supporters formed a rally outside the Center for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, where they bull-horned messages accusing NIAID Director Anthony Fauci of lying about the effectiveness of the jabs.
“We are here because the CDC has been lying to us for so long,” one protester said, according to CBS46.com.
“You know Fauci’s lying!” a protester yelled at an officer standing outside the CDC building, while starting chants of “Down with the CDC!”
“We should all question this vaccine!” yelled yet another Minaj supporter.
@NICKIMINAJ told the truth to me, Fauci lied to me” Protesters are approaching cars leaving the @CDCgov in ATL.Claiming the CDC is lying about the vaccine& @NICKIMINAJ is telling the truth. More on COVID-19 misinformation & locals protesting the vaccine. @cbs46 pic.twitter.com/6DwNo6ffbn
— Tori Cooper (@toricoooper) September 15, 2021
The protests come after Minaj on Monday claimed she would not attend the Met Gala in New York because she wanted to research the vaccine before taking it.
They want you to get vaccinated for the Met. if I get vaccinated it won’t for the Met. It’ll be once I feel I’ve done enough research. I’m working on that now. In the meantime my loves, be safe. Wear the mask with 2 strings that grips your head & face. Not that loose one 🙏♥️
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
She further stirred the pot with a tweet claiming a friend of her cousin in Trinidad had a negative reaction to the vaccine.
My cousin in Trinidad won’t get the vaccine cuz his friend got it & became impotent. His testicles became swollen. His friend was weeks away from getting married, now the girl called off the wedding. So just pray on it & make sure you’re comfortable with ur decision, not bullied
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
Immediately, she began posting headlines calling out fake news claiming she “refused to get vaccinated.”
3 lies in a row from huge news platforms. I cited my young child as why I didn’t want to travel. But notice how NONE of them mentioned that? Ask yourself why that was. pic.twitter.com/vQjorbKCCO
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 14, 2021
The controversy escalated when Minaj shared a segment of Fox host Tucker Carlson defending her.
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 15, 2021
On Wednesday, she announced she was suspended from Twitter for questioning the vaccine and voicing her views on the subject.
Asked Thursday whether the administration had indeed invited Minaj to the White House, as claimed by the rapper, Press Secretary Jen Psaki said they offered for Minaj to speak with a doctor.
Jen Psaki says the White House offered a call to Nicki Minaj to answer any questions the artist may have over the safety of the COVID-19 vaccine. This comes after Minaj was criticized by public health officials over previous comments she made pic.twitter.com/wCIvOyZLLk
— NowThis (@nowthisnews) September 16, 2021
Despite the contentious debate, Minaj has admitted she will likely end up taking a vaccine as it’s required to go on tour.
I know babe. A lot of countries won’t let ppl work w/o the vaccine. I’d def recommend they get the vaccine. They have to feed their families. I’m sure I’ll b vaccinated as well cuz I have to go on tour, etc. https://t.co/7SK5Df0yBf
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) September 13, 2021
**By Adan Salazar
**Source