Trinidad and Tobago-born rapper Nicki Minaj has received significant backlash over a September 13 tweet, in which she suggested the COVID-19 vaccine caused impotence. 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 The tweet followed several others that dealt with COVID-19 vaccination, including one in which Minaj announced she would forego the Met Gala because attendance was contingent on vaccination and she felt she hadn't yet done “enough research” on vaccine options. When mainstream media pounced on the story, Minaj said that her comments about the Met had been misreported, pointing to a few other tweets she'd posted, where she recommended that people get the vaccine, calling it “the norm” that vaccinated people are better able to ward off the virus. Even as liberal television commentator Joy Reid chastised Minaj for using her 22 million-strong Twitter platform to spread misinformation, others called the whole debacle “a rare glimpse […] into how the press twists the truth”, supporting Minaj's clap back that Reid was “spread[ing] a false narrative about a [fellow] black woman.” Others suggested Reid's dress-down was hypocritical, considering that she herself sowed seeds of distrust in the COVID-19 vaccine back in 2020 because it was developed under the oversight of the Trump administration. Amanda Carpenter tweeted mischievously: Nikki Minaj may not be at The Met tonight but now she is *this close* to being invited to perform at Donald Trump’s reinstatement ceremony so there’s that. — Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) September 14, 2021 Social media was soon in an uproar. New York Times bestselling author Kurt Eichenwald replied to Minaj: Sorry, this is not a side effect of the vaccine. It is called hydrocele. In adults, the two primary causes are injury or STD (chlamydia or gonorrhea). Probably your cousin's friend was taking one last marriage fling, picked up an STD, & is blaming vaccines. He needs an MD, stat. — Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) September 13, 2021 One former fan responded: Reported for misinformation and unfollowed. I loved you and your music, this is so very disappointing and dangerous — Stefanie Iris Weiss ? (@EcoSexuality) September 13, 2021 In one judgement-free post, Dr. Raven the Science Maven reposted a rap in which she explained how the vaccines actually work: Nicki, I made this rap about the vaccine last fall! It talks about the immune system and some of the things that happen with your immune system after u get a vaccine ❤️ happy to talk more about it with you. My space is always judgement free! ❤️? much luv pic.twitter.com/ElFayiCAwd — Dr. Raven the Science Maven (@ravenscimaven) September 13, 2021 While some supported Minaj's position, most social media users were not willing to be as tolerant of Minaj's misstep: Nicki gurl DELETE THIS RIGHT NOW before people DIE from being affaid of this MADE UP BULLSHIT FAKE TWEET!?This is shameful fear mongering & you have No PROOF it wasn't an STD. We’ve got millions of Dead people, we find a cure vaccine, & now you’re encouraging more people to DIE — Daniel Newmaη (@DanielNewman) September 14, 2021 You understand that because of your celebrity status, your words have weight. Regardless of the fact that you have NO evidence connecting this person’s medical issues to the vaccine, people who are already hesitant (due to misinformation) will choose to not get vaccinated. — Pale Blue Momma ???️‍? (@PaleBlueMomma) September 15, 2021 Comedian Trevor Noah, while admitting that, for many of Minaj's followers, “that tweet about swollen balls […] will be their research,” was opposed to labelling the star as an anti-vaxxer, since she's saying “she's unsure and she can be convinced”: If you take Nicki at her word—or anyone who wants more information for that matter—instead of crucifying them to prove how righteous we are, let's show them the research. […] The good news is that a lot of research has already been done on these vaccines and that research has shown they are overwhelming safe and effective, and their side effects don't come close to the damage that COVID can do to you.