By Ellis Kweta
In a recent campaign rally for U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, rapper Cardi B found herself in an unexpected online clash with Elon Musk via X. Cardi B, known for her outspoken persona and willingness to participate in political discussions, struggled during her speech at the rally when her teleprompter suddenly malfunctioned. The resulting awkward moment spurred a viral exchange that captured widespread social media attention.
The incident unfolded as Cardi B joined a list of celebrities endorsing Kamala Harris before the U.S. presidential election. With the teleprompter failing mid-speech, Cardi B was visibly thrown off, pausing for over a minute as she tried to regroup. An assistant ultimately handed her a phone with her prepared notes, allowing her to resume, but not without the interruption catching the attention of viewers online of which Elon Musk was not an Exemption.
Elon Musk Criticizes Cardi B’s Speech at the Rally
The video clip of Cardi B’s teleprompter struggle quickly went viral, drawing commentary from Musk, who has been a strong supporter of President Donald Trump in past elections.
Reacting to the video, Musk took aim at the lack of spontaneity in Cardi B speech, calling her “another puppet who can’t even talk without being fed the words.” Musk continued by criticizing the campaign itself, saying, “The Kamala campaign has no authenticity or true empathy.”
Elon Musk’s comments sparked backlash, with fans of Cardi B and political commentators alike weighing in. Some sided with Musk, questioning the authenticity of celebrities at political rallies, while others defended Cardi B’s courage in publicly supporting Harris. The incident quickly trended on social media platforms, with many debating Musk’s claim that the speech was overly scripted and lacking in personal connection.
Cardi B Responds to Musk’s Comment
Cardi B did not stay silent on the issue, promptly responding to Musk on social media. In her reply, Cardi B defended her commitment to the causes she supports and pushed back against the notion that she was a “puppet.”
She stated on her X page that, as a person from a humble background, she had endured a difficult path to success. Cardi pointed out that she is “the daughter of two immigrants who worked so hard to provide for her” and emphasized that she had a personal understanding of hardship, which she felt Musk could not relate to.
The rapper’s words highlighted her belief that she brings a unique perspective to discussions on social and economic issues, particularly those impacting marginalized communities. She also indirectly hinted that celebrities participating in political campaigns may be judged unfairly due to their prominence, often subject to higher scrutiny.
Public Reactions and Online Debate
Cardi B and Musk’s online exchange struck a nerve across social media platforms, where netizens quickly took sides. Many expressed their thoughts on the situation, and responses varied widely.
Some commentators pointed out that Cardi B’s speech might have appeared scripted, suggesting it lacked an element of genuine conviction. One user commented, “Cardi’s speech showed it wasn’t from the heart,” while another remarked on how heavily the speech depended on a pre-written script, asking, “Why couldn’t Cardi speak without a script?”
Meanwhile, others voiced support for Cardi B’s response, applauding her willingness to advocate for herself publicly. A user named Misschidel commented, “One thing about Cardi that I like is that she always knows how to speak up for herself, not minding who is involved. Go girl🥂.” Other users defended the rapper’s cautious approach to her speech, noting that she was careful not to “torpedo someone’s campaign.”
