Cardi B Claps-back at Elon Musk Calling Her “Puppet” For Endorsing Kamala Harris

Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B has been making headlines for her speech on Friday supporting Kamala Harris and the Democratic Party. The speech led to a spat between the New York rapper and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The exchange took place on Musk’s X platform after a right-wing account shared a clip of Cardi B addressing a rally in Milwaukee. During the event, a teleprompter glitch forced the rapper to stall while her speech notes were retrieved, prompting Musk to label her a “puppet” of the Kamala Harris campaign.

“Another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed words. The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy,” the tweet said.

Musk’s comment implied that Cardi B lacked authenticity, an accusation she quickly refuted. Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, responded fiercely, stating, “I’m not a puppet, Elon,” she wrote before describing her background as the daughter of immigrant parents who struggled to support her.

“I’m a product of welfare… poverty… [and] what happens when the system is set up against you,” she asserted. Cardi B’s response pointed out the difference between her upbringing and Musk’s wealthy background, which includes a family-owned stake in a Zambian emerald mine.

At the rally, Cardi B also shared her journey as an “underdog,” resonating with women’s rights and the barriers women face. “Women have to work ten times harder… and still people question us,” she said.