Cardi B and Trump Advisor Clash Over Nicki Minaj Bot Allegations

Cardi B has publicly sparred with Alex Bruesewitz, an advisor to Donald Trump, after he implicated her in a dispute regarding a report alleging the employ of bots to amplify Nicki Minaj’s political messaging on X (formerly Twitter). The conflict stems from a study conducted by the disinformation research company Cyabra, which found that approximately 33% of the accounts engaging with Minaj’s conservative-leaning posts were assessed as fake.

The Bot Report and Initial Accusations

The Cyabra report, shared with Politico, analyzed 51 of Minaj’s posts between November 11 and December 28, concluding with “high confidence” that a coordinated fake campaign was actively amplifying political content on her X account. Newsweek reported that Cyabra was “85 percent confident” that over 18,000 profiles identified were fake.

Bruesewitz responded to the report on X, questioning its credibility and alleging that the journalist who published the story, Jason Beeferman, “failed to disclose that the company that conducted this report, Cyabra, is partnered with Cardi B’s agent.” He further claimed it was “inappropriate” not to mention this relationship, directly calling out Cardi B.

Cardi B’s Response and Counterclaims

Cardi B swiftly responded to Bruesewitz’s accusations, reposting a statement from her agent, Mike G (of United Talent Agency), emphasizing that his involvement with Cyabra “has absolutely nothing to do” with her. She then engaged directly with Bruesewitz on X, stating, “You involved me and disturbed me for no reason, ain’t no white man about to sit here and gaslight me like I’m crashing out when you should’ve left me tf alone.”

She further challenged Bruesewitz, questioning why he focused on the connection to her agent while ignoring other potential conflicts of interest on his side. Cardi B also highlighted her current success, stating, “I’m on a sold out tour and don’t give af about none of what you and your people got going on.”

Bruesewitz’s Defense and Agent’s Perspective

Bruesewitz maintained that his concern was the potential for bias due to the relationship between Cardi B’s agent, and Cyabra. He told Billboard, “I never said or implied she had personal involvement in the report.” However, he reiterated that the agent connection “should have been disclosed given the longstanding beef between the two rappers.”

Bruesewitz’s lawyer, Joe McBride, echoed this sentiment, stating that the agent’s connection raised questions about impartiality and that the claim Nicki Minaj needed to buy bots was “ridiculous,” given her status as “the most successful female rapper of all time.”

Political Context and Ongoing Rivalry

This dispute occurs within a broader context of shifting political alignments. Nicki Minaj has increasingly voiced support for Donald Trump and engaged with conservative figures, including appearances at Trump events and interviews with conservative podcasters. In contrast, Cardi B has been a vocal supporter of liberal causes and has publicly opposed Trump.

The longstanding rivalry between Cardi B and Nicki Minaj, dating back to 2017, adds another layer to the situation. Complex noted that Bruesewitz subtly referenced Cardi B’s 2024 speech for Kamala Harris’ campaign during a conversation with Minaj.

Key Takeaways

• A report alleged a significant percentage of bots amplified Nicki Minaj’s political posts on X.
• Alex Bruesewitz, a Trump advisor, brought Cardi B into the discussion by highlighting her agent’s connection to the research firm.
• Cardi B vehemently denied any involvement and accused Bruesewitz of attempting to discredit her.
• The dispute is fueled by the ongoing rivalry between the two rappers and their differing political stances.