Twitter: Nicki Minaj's Tweet Linking Impotence to COVID Vaccine Doesn't Break Misinformation Rules

Twitter says it will not take action against Nicki Minaj's tweet linking erectile dysfunction with the COVID-19 vaccine because it did not violate its misinformation policies on the virus. 

In the tweet, Minaj revealed that her cousin would not be getting the vaccine because a friend of his who had the shot became impotent. 

"His testicles became swollen," she wrote. "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."

Medical professionals previously told Insider that there is no evidence that the vaccine can cause fertility problems in men or women but despite this, Twitter will not be deleting or labeling Minaj's tweet as misinformation, because it is an anecdote and not a factual claim, a spokesperson explained. Twitter's policy states that, in order for content related to COVID-19 to be considered a violation, "it must advance a claim of fact, expressed in definitive terms." The policy further notes that "personal anecdotes or first-person accounts" are not a violation.

Minaj also spoke about the Met Gala’s requirements for attendees to be vaccinated, explaining that she would not get the shot just so that she could attend the event in New York. 

"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," she tweeted. "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."

The rapper later revealed that she would be getting vaccinated to go on tour and also praised a fan who said they had received the vaccine and had not contracted the virus. 

"That's amazing babe. This is the norm," she replied. 

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