With the U.S. presidential election drawing closer, the political battleground has moved online, involving even high-profile figures. This past weekend, tech mogul and Trump supporter Elon Musk criticized rapper Cardi B’s appearance at a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, held on Friday. Using his platform, X (formerly Twitter), Musk suggested that Cardi B was simply a “puppet” of the Harris campaign.
During her speech, Cardi B shared her initial reluctance to vote until Harris entered the political race. “Just like Kamala Harris, I, too, have been the underdog,” she stated, noting the struggles women face in being recognized for their accomplishments. Cardi went on to criticize Trump’s stance on women’s rights, referencing his remarks about “protecting women whether they like it or not.” She argued, “Protection for women… isn’t telling them what to do with their bodies. It’s supporting them and giving them the care they need.”
Cardi B’s teleprompter reportedly failed mid-speech, and she continued by reading from her phone. Musk highlighted this moment in his post, calling her a “puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words.” The criticism didn’t go unnoticed by Cardi, who swiftly replied, “I’m not a puppet, Elon… I’m a daughter of two immigrant parents that had to work their ass off to provide for me!” She emphasized her background, adding that Musk doesn’t “know one thing about the American struggle.”
Since endorsing Trump in July, Musk has become increasingly vocal in his support, using X to rally support for the Republican candidate. Meanwhile, Cardi B’s response has garnered wide attention, with her challenging Musk on issues of privilege and the realities of economic struggle in America.