It's important to understand the kind of outsized influence one can have when they're a well-known celebrity.
Nicki Minaj shared an anecdote about her 'cousin's friend' and a supposed issue with their genitalia after receiving the vaccine and now many anti-vaxxers are rallying behind the rapper.
Minaj's story has been widely criticized, as well as her vaccine hesitancy, by others across the internet. But the narrative shifted when Piers Morgan stepped into the ring.
Morgan commented on Professor Chris Whitty, England's Chief Medical Officer, getting into an argument with Minaj.
Professor Whitty beefing with the ghastly @NICKIMINAJ (one of the rudest little madams I\u2019ve ever met) is not the breaking news that I expected today - but it\u2019s most welcome. She\u2019s peddling lies that will cost lives.— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1631634230
Minaj didn't take the comment lying down and fired back.
Sir I\u2019ve never met you. I know\u2026 we all look alike. \u201cRudest little madam\u201d. I like it. Has a special ring to it. Thanks Pierce. Love the accent. I\u2019d love to come chat. Scones. Tea. Clown nose & big red shoes for you. Lmk babe https://twitter.com/piersmorgan/status/1437804290228342785\u00a0\u2026— Nicki Minaj (@Nicki Minaj) 1631639710
Morgan tried to turn it around.
Madam, we met on @AGT when you appeared as a guest act - but you refused to say hello to my three young sons because you were \u2018too busy\u2019. Oh, and it\u2019s \u2018Piers\u2019 - I know, we Brit names all sound alike.https://twitter.com/NICKIMINAJ/status/1437827275496439808\u00a0\u2026— Piers Morgan (@Piers Morgan) 1631640149
This is a real split situation.
On one hand, Morgan is trying to defend the efficacy of vaccines. This is important, and people who can should get vaccinated.
On the other hand, the British commentator doesn't have the best reputation when it comes to dealing with Black women. It's possible his reputation will interfere with the efficacy of any messages he sends about anything.
And interfere it does.
PURR THATS MY QUEEN— MRS PETTY (@MRS PETTY) 1631655389
PURR THATS MY QUEEN— MRS PETTY (@MRS PETTY) 1631655389
Ok, so i don't necessarily agree with Niki's vaccine "research" pov, but, she us right to clap back on Piers. This man is always seeking to harass and insult black women,and woc. Someone needed to tell his ass off.— Getsetgo (@Getsetgo) 1631653091
This whole thing started because of Minaj's outspoken comments about not getting the vaccine. The rapper claims she may get it after doing her own "research."
Vaccines are one of the safest and most studied forms of medicine we have. With the current vaccine, hundreds of millions of doses have been administered with minimal side effects.
Even the highly reported issue with the Johnson & Johnson/Janssen vaccine causing blood clots only occurred in 7 per 1 million cases, or less than one-thousandth of a percent of the time.
Morgan may not have the best reputation, but his stance was laudable if less effective than one might hope.
Lmao usually Pierce is terrible but he actually bodied her here. She's going off the rails now— Matt (@Matt) 1631652861
OK I might not agree with Nicki Minaj on the vaccine side effects but she\u2019s currently taking on Chris Whitby, Laura Kuenssberg and Piers Morgan all at once and it\u2019s hilarious pic.twitter.com/VJeCf5iqGN— \ud83c\udf3bKaren\ud83c\udf3b (@\ud83c\udf3bKaren\ud83c\udf3b) 1631640670
Piers Morgan and Nicki Minaj beefing has to be one of the funniest plot twists of this year— Mashay\ud83c\udf43 (@Mashay\ud83c\udf43) 1631646413
The fact that Nicki Minaj and Piers Morgan had a fight and I had to side with Piers is an act of homophobia from which I will not soon recover.— Lil Uzi Hurt \ud83e\udd7a (@Lil Uzi Hurt \ud83e\udd7a) 1631720300
Despite all the research and evidence on the safety and efficacy of vaccines, including the ones for the current pandemic, there are still people willing to push misinformation and will use Minaj's celebrity to do it.
This led to far-right disinformation peddler, Tucker Carlson praising Minaj for her stance, and the rapper sharing a clip on Twitter.
While Piers Morgan may have a bad reputation when it comes to interacting with Black woman, it's important to remember what this argument is really about.
And Tucker Carlson isn't going to be on the right side of it.
When Tucker and Candace Owens applaud you, it\u2019s not a good look\n\nThis is the wrong hill to die on— CeeSav (@CeeSav) 1631741037
you know he's a white nationalist right?— hasanabi (@hasanabi) 1631740792
Nicki Minaj is currently beefing with Joy Reid and now got both Candace Owens & Tucker Carlson's support for her anti-vaccination stance. \n\nThat's how bad her career appeal has shifted. \nIt's only down from here.— Ernest Owens (@Ernest Owens) 1631712550
If Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens ever started defending me, I\u2019d just automatically conclude I was in the wrong.— Palmer Report (@Palmer Report) 1631752729
Nicki Minaj has Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens coming to her defense. Her cousin's friend's balls are the least of her problems now.— Christopher Bouzy (@Christopher Bouzy) 1631749422
Regardless of the validity of the anecdote of a celebrity's cousin's friend in Trinidad's side effects, the current vaccines to relieve the pandemic have proven very safe and effective. They decrease the chance of developing symptoms, decrease the chance of hospitalization if you do, and can help you protect others.
If you can, please get vaccinated and encourage others to do the same.
MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images
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