In an exchange on X (formerly Twitter), rapper Cardi B and tech billionaire Elon Musk found themselves on opposite ends of a debate about politics, poverty, and authenticity. The clash began when Musk criticized Cardi B’s recent appearance in support of Vice President Kamala Harris’s bid for re-election, questioning the sincerity of Harris’s campaign.
In his tweet, Musk remarked, “Another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words. The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy.” Imply that Cardi B’s speech supporting Harris lacked genuine sentiment, suggesting instead that it was scripted or disingenuous.
Cardi B, known for her outspoken personality and willingness to tackle social issues head-on, quickly fired back, defending both her background and her perspective on American poverty. “I’m not a puppet, Elon,” she tweeted in response. “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.” Her words directly challenged Musk’s portrayal of her as an inauthentic voice, emphasizing that her views stem from personal experience rather than a campaign agenda.
She continued, adding, “But you don’t know nothing about that. You don’t know not one thing about the American struggle… PS fix my algorithm.”
The exchange quickly gained traction online, sparking discussions about economic inequality, privilege, and the way influential figures engage with social and political issues.
One person agreeing with her responding, “That’s the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!”
Cardi B in her speech stated at the “When We Vote We Win” rally in Wisconsin last just (November 1) that she would be voting in the upcoming election because of Harris’s influence. Speaking at the Wisconsin State Fair Park Exposition Center in Milwaukee, the Grammy award winning rapper shared her admiration for Harris’s resilience and her ability to stand up to figures she perceives as “bullies”—a quality Cardi B emphasized as crucial in today’s political climate. “I can’t stand a bully,” she declared, “but just like Kamala, I stand up to one.”
Cardi B also connected her personal journey with Harris’s, framing both as “underdog” stories. Reflecting on the challenges she has faced as a woman in a male-dominated industry, she shared, “Just like Kamala Harris, I, too, have been the underdog, I’ve been underestimated. My success belittled and discredited.” Cardi B’s words highlighted shared experiences of scrutiny and resilience.
In addition, Cardi B criticized former President Trump’s recent remarks about protecting women’s rights, framing them as disingenuous and restrictive. Reacting to Trump’s pledge to “protect women whether they like it or not,” she raised concerns about his stance on reproductive rights. “If his definition of protection is making sure our daughters have fewer rights than our mothers, then I don’t want it,” she told the crowd.
According to multiple polls, both Trump and Harris are polling at under 1% just days before the U.S. election on Tuesday, November 5, to choose the 47th President.
