Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Lifestyle
Inga Parkel

Nicki Minaj accuses Philadelphia Health Department of using her for ‘engagement’ over viral vaccination tweet

Getty Images for Billboard

Nicki Minaj has responded to a tweet from the Philadelphia Public Health Department’s mocking her controversial Covid tweet.

Last September, the rapper made headlines as she shared a series of allegations about the coronavirus vaccine.

Minaj explained that she was not appearing at that month’s Met Gala as they required a proof of vaccination to attend, adding that she would only get vaccinated “once I feel I’ve done enough research”.

She then claimed that her cousin’s friend’s testicles became “swollen” and he “became impotent” after getting vaccinated.

Minaj was called out for the tweet by political leaders and medical experts, as impotency or engorged genitals are not listed as a side effect of Covid vaccines by any major health organisations.

On Friday (18 February), the Philadelphia Public Health Department appeared to mock Minaj by sharing a screenshot of her viral tweet beneath a more recent post of hers where she wrote: “Nothing like watching someone speak confidently about something they know nothing about.”

In a series of tweets that have since been deleted, Minaj tweeted: “Philadelphia’s public health account is posting Nicki Minaj tweets for engagement.

“They are attempting to shame ppl for advising others to PRAY, be COMFORTABLE & NOT BE BULLIED. I’ve never seen a vaccine trigger this amount of shaming & fear tactics have you? #DoWeHaveAProblem.”

At the time of her original tweet, England’s chief medical officer Chris Witty said Minaj should be “ashamed” of her comments.

Anthony Fauci also said that Minaj should “be thinking twice about propagating information that really has no basis”.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.