Cardi B, known for her no-holds-barred responses, didn’t hold back after Elon Musk called her a “puppet” following her speech at a Kamala Harris rally. The rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar Cephus, spoke at a Harris for President rally in Milwaukee, where she passionately endorsed the vice president and criticized former President Donald Trump.
During her speech, Cardi B faced a teleprompter glitch and had to read her speech from a phone handed to her by a staffer. Elon Musk seized on this moment, posting on X (formerly Twitter), “Another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words. The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy.”
Cardi B quickly fired back, taking to X to respond to Musk’s comments. “I’m not a puppet, Elon,” she wrote. “I’m a daughter of two immigrant parents that had to work their ass off to provide for me! I’m a product of welfare, I’m a product of section 8, I’m a product of poverty, and I’m a product of what happens when the system is set up against you. But you don’t know nothing about that. You don’t know not one thing about the American struggle.” She ended her post with a jab at Musk’s ownership of X, writing, “PS fix my algorithm.”
Cardi B’s speech at the rally highlighted her reasons for supporting Harris and her frustration with Trump’s policies, particularly regarding women’s rights and economic inequality.
“I’ve been waiting for this moment my whole life,” Cardi told the crowd. “I take seriously the call to show up, to speak out, and to share a message that’s been on my heart for a while now. Like Kamala Harris, I’ve been the underdog, underestimated, and had my success belittled. Women have to work ten times harder and still face questions about how we achieved success. I can’t stand a bully, but just like Kamala, I always stand up to one.”
Cardi B has openly voiced her enthusiastic support for Kamala Harris, noting that Harris’s candidacy for the presidency significantly influenced her perspective on voting. Initially, Cardi had no intention of participating in the 2024 election, but she found inspiration in Harris’s campaign and the critical issues she advocates for.
In her passionate discourse, Cardi B emphasized the importance of women’s rights and economic equality. She took aim at former President Donald Trump, particularly criticizing his remarks about protecting women “whether they like it or not.” Cardi asserted that genuine protection for women means respecting their choices and ensuring they have access to essential health care and support.
Drawing from her own experiences, Cardi likened herself to Kamala Harris, describing both as underdogs who have faced underestimation and dismissal. She highlighted the additional challenges women encounter in their pursuit of success, often needing to exert ten times the effort to prove their worth.
Cardi B did not shy away from criticizing Trump, labeling him a “hustler” focused solely on enriching himself and catering to the interests of wealthy allies through tax cuts. She raised questions about the implications of his policies for the American public.
Cardi B articulated her support for several of Kamala Harris’s proposed policies, which include doubling the child tax credit, offering $25,000 in down payment assistance, and tackling grocery price gouging. She commended Harris for her awareness of the nation’s challenges and her compassionate, empathetic leadership style.
In contrast, Elon Musk has emerged as a prominent supporter of Donald Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. His financial contributions exceed $132 million, making him a key player in efforts to reinstate Trump in the White House. Much of Musk’s funding has been funneled through America PAC, a super PAC he established to bolster Trump’s candidacy.
Musk has made several public appearances at Trump rallies, including a notable event at Madison Square Garden, where he donned a black “Make America Great Again” cap and referred to himself as “dark, gothic Maga.” He has also utilized his platform on X to praise Trump while disparaging Harris, labeling Trump’s critics as suffering from “Trump Derangement Syndrome (TDS).”
Musk’s backing of Trump is closely linked to his advocacy for government deregulation, especially in the space exploration sector. He argues that excessive regulations stifle innovation and hinder progress toward becoming a multiplanetary species. Additionally, Musk has called for significant reductions in government size and austerity measures to address national debt, aligning with Trump’s campaign rhetoric.
The exchange between Cardi B and Elon Musk transcends mere celebrity rivalry; it reflects her commitment to advocating for issues that resonate with her and her audience. Her rebuttal to being labeled a “puppet” underscores her authenticity and dedication to championing women’s rights and economic equality. As celebrities increasingly influence political discourse, Cardi B’s voice remains a formidable force, challenging stereotypes and standing firm in her beliefs.
