The Super Bowl is always a major event, drawing in millions of viewers and attendees from all walks of life. This year, the game took on an extra layer of drama, not just because of the action on the field, but also because of the high-profile figures in attendance. Among them were former President Donald Trump and Grammy-winning rapper Cardi B, who found herself at the center of a heated exchange involving Trump’s Secret Service detail. The incident, which Cardi B shared with her fans on Instagram Live, highlighted her growing frustration with Trump and the consequential damage to one of her prized possessions—a pair of $3,000 Christian Louboutin pumps.
Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, has never been one to mince words, especially when it comes to her views on politics and public figures. Her disdain for Trump has been well-documented over the years, but this latest encounter seemed to push her to her breaking point. During her Instagram Live session, she expressed her anger and disappointment at how the Secret Service treated her during the event. She alleged that the agents “weren’t playing” when it came to protecting Trump, implying that their rigorous security measures made the experience unpleasant for her and possibly others nearby. The tension reached a boiling point when she revealed that her expensive black leather spiked Louboutin heels had been damaged, apparently as a result of the Secret Service’s actions. “You didn’t have to come to no damn Super Bowl, fucking up my shoe,” she remarked, showing the damage to her heel on camera.
While the incident may seem trivial to some, Cardi B made it clear that her frustration went beyond a damaged pair of shoes. She used the moment to voice her broader dissatisfaction with Trump’s policies and actions, particularly when it comes to immigration. In her Instagram Live rant, she brought up her uncle, who she claimed had been deported. Though she didn’t go into specifics about the situation, she suggested that the only way Trump could make amends for the damage to her shoe—and, by extension, for his administration’s impact on her family—would be to intervene in her uncle’s case. She admitted, however, that she didn’t hold much hope for such an outcome. “Now I like him lesser,” she said, summing up her feelings toward the former president.
Cardi B’s experience at the Super Bowl resonates with many who have been affected by Trump’s immigration policies. Under his administration, the U.S. saw a significant increase in immigration enforcement, including deportations and raids. The week following Trump’s election in 2016, for instance, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests spiked dramatically, nearing almost 1,000. These actions have left countless families separated and lives upended, creating a ripple effect that continues to be felt today. For Cardi B, the damage to her shoe served as a small but symbolic representation of the larger issues she and many others face under Trump’s policies.
This isn’t the first time Cardi B has used her platform to speak out against Trump and his administration. Earlier in November, she had also criticized Trump’s stance on women’s rights during a campaign rally for then-Vice President Kamala Harris. “If his definition of protection is not the freedom of choice, if his definition of protection is making sure our daughters have fewer rights than our mothers, then I don’t want it!” she had said. Her comments underscored her belief that Trump’s policies are not only harmful to immigrants but also detrimental to women’s rights and freedoms. Her outspokenness has made her a vocal advocate for social justice and a critic of policies that she believes are unjust.
In the end, Cardi B’s Super Bowl experience and her subsequent Instagram Live rant serve as a reminder of the personal and societal impacts of political decisions. For her, the damage to her shoe was just one more reason to dislike Trump, but for many others, it represents the broader struggles of dealing with a system that often feels unforgiving and unfair. Whether it’s through her music, public appearances, or social media, Cardi B continues to use her platform to speak her mind and advocate for change—a quality that has endeared her to millions of fans and made her a respected voice in the conversation about social justice.
