Cardi B recently made headlines after she took to Instagram Live to express her frustration with former President Donald Trump, following his attendance at the 2025 Super Bowl. The rapper, whose real name is Belcalis Almánzar, was visibly upset about a pair of damaged Christian Louboutin shoes, which she claimed cost $3,000. She blamed the damage on the disruptions caused by Trump’s presence at the event. In a clip shared by a fan on X (formerly Twitter), Cardi can be seen displaying her spiked heels, which appeared scuffed and damaged, and venting her anger. “Look how f–ked up my shoes [are],” she said. “This shoe cost me three bands. All because of Trump. Now I like him lesser!” The incident quickly went viral, sparking conversation about the unexpected intersection of celebrity culture, politics, and footwear.
Cardi, who is known for her outspoken and fiery personality, doubled down on her comments during the livestream. She vehemently expressed her irritation, saying, “You didn’t have to go to no damn Super Bowl. F–king up my shoe!” The 32-year-old Grammy-winning artist explained that the cart service at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, where the game was held, had stopped operating “at a certain point … because Trump was there.” As a result, she was forced to walk, which she claimed led to the damage to her expensive shoes. Cardi also criticized the Secret Service, stating that they were “not playing” and gave everyone “a hard time” at the game. Her frustration was palpable as she continued to vent about the situation, even acknowledging that she was still “too f–king mad” about her footwear.
In a bold and humorous twist, Cardi jokingly demanded that Trump return her deported uncle to the U.S. as a form of compensation for her damaged shoes. “Well, he definitely ain’t going to do that,” she admitted with a laugh, seemingly aware of the absurdity of her request. Trump, who had recently begun enforcing mass deportations of undocumented immigrants following his inauguration just a month prior, had made history as the first sitting president to attend a Super Bowl. However, his visit was brief, as he left after the second quarter. Despite his early departure, his presence had already made an impact, both on the game and on Cardi’s expensive shoes.
Trump’s appearance at the Super Bowl was not without controversy, as it often is with his public outings. The former president posed for photos with members of quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ family, but he also took a moment to poke fun at tight end Travis Kelce’s girlfriend, Taylor Swift. Trump, who had publicly expressed his disdain for Swift after she endorsed Kamala Harris in the presidential election, appeared to take pleasure in the fact that Swift had been booed by the crowd. Kelce, who is also 35, had earlier expressed excitement about Trump’s attendance, calling it an “honor” to have the president at the game. “No matter who the president is, I know I’m excited because it’s the biggest game of my life, and … it’s the best country in the world. So, that’d be pretty cool,” Kelce had told reporters.
The Super Bowl, which saw the Philadelphia Eagles dominate the Kansas City Chiefs in a decisive victory, was attended by several other high-profile celebrities. Bradley Cooper was spotted with his 7-year-old daughter, Lea, while Anne Hathaway brought her rarely seen son, Jack, who is 5. Despite the star-studded crowd, the game itself was a disappointment for many, particularly for Kelce, who later called the blowout loss a “tough pill to swallow.” For Cardi B, however, the game will likely be remembered not for the action on the field, but for the unexpected damage to her beloved Louboutins—and the viral moment that followed.
The incident involving Cardi B and Trump highlights the unpredictable nature of public life, where even the most mundane situations can take on larger-than-life proportions. It also underscores the deep polarization of American culture, where even a pair of damaged shoes can become a symbol of broader frustrations and divisions. For Cardi, the damaged Louboutins were more than just a fashion mishap—they represented a moment of relatable frustration that resonated with fans and sparked wider conversation. For Trump, the episode serves as a reminder of the outsized attention he continues to command, even as he navigates the complexities of his post-presidency. In the end, the Super Bowl proved to be a spectacle both on and off the field, leaving fans and onlookers alike with plenty to talk about.
