Rapper Nicki Minaj has deactivated her primary Instagram account, fueling intense speculation that the move is tied to backlash from her recent political commentary.
The action follows Minaj’s surprise appearance at the conservative Turning Point USA AmericaFest on December 21, where she expressed support for Donald Trump and made a viral, controversial remark about Vice President-elect JD Vance. During a conversation with TPUSA contributor Erica Kirk, Minaj referred to Vance as Trump’s “assassin,” a comment she later clarified as a “figure of speech.”
While rumors swirled that she lost a staggering 10 million followers as direct punishment, a analysis of follower data tells a more nuanced story. The alleged mass exodus appears significantly exaggerated:
- October 2024: ~223.9 million followers
- November 2024: ~227.5 million followers (an increase)
- December 2024: ~223.8 million followers
This pattern shows normal platform fluctuations rather than a single, dramatic drop. The current decrease from November falls within a range seen earlier in the year. Therefore, while backlash may be a factor in her decision to leave the platform, the data does not support the rumor of an unprecedented follower purge.
The Instagram deactivation marks a notable moment for the artist, whose political stance has shifted. Previously a critic of Trump, her alignment with conservative causes at the event stunned many fans. Whether a permanent departure or a temporary break, her absence from the major social platform underscores the intense reactions to celebrity political endorsements.
