Cardi B Fires Back at Trump’s Homeland Security After It Mocks Her for Slamming ICE: ‘Why Y’all Don’t Wanna Talk About the Epstein Files?’

During a performance on her "Little Miss Drama Tour" in Palm Desert, California, rapper Cardi B issued a direct on-stage warning to federal immigration officials. The artist, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, told any Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers present that they would be confronted, even quipping about having bear spray available to protect attendees. Cardi B, whose debut single "Bodak Yellow" made her the first female rapper to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a solo song since 1998, has long been an outspoken critic of policies she views as unjust.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the parent agency of ICE, responded sharply on social media. Its post referenced the performer's past admissions—discussed in interviews as a survival tactic from her pre-fame life—about drugging and robbing men. The agency's statement sarcastically suggested that not assaulting its personnel would be "an improvement over her past behavior." This retort highlights how public figures' pasts are often weaponized in political disputes.

Cardi B immediately fired back, shifting the focus to high-profile institutional failures. "If we talking about drugs let’s talk about Epstein and friends drugging underage girls to rape them," she wrote, explicitly tying her response to the recently unsealed documents concerning the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. By doing so, she connected her frequent criticisms of former President Donald Trump, who is named in the files, to a direct challenge of a major federal department. This tactic illustrates how the Epstein case, involving a web of powerful enablers across business and political circles, has become a universal reference point for allegations of systemic corruption.

The fallout from the millions of pages released from the Epstein proceedings continues to ripple through industries, notably entertainment. The Wasserman Group, a major talent agency founded by sports and media mogul Casey Wasserman, has faced significant pressure. Wasserman's previous social and charitable links to Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell, now serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking, have led high-profile clients like singers Chappell Roan and Orville Peck to depart the agency and call for his ouster. This exodus mirrors historical patterns where major scandals force professional reckonings and realignments based on guilt by association.

Analysts see Cardi B's clash as part of a larger trend where the Epstein documents are fueling public discourse far beyond legal circles. "When celebrities leverage their platform to question powerful institutions, it can legitimize public skepticism and force conversations that official bodies would prefer to avoid," noted Dr. Anya Sharma, a Columbia University professor specializing in media ethics. This incident underscores a persistent public demand for accountability, using the Epstein saga as a litmus test for the credibility of both government and corporate power structures. The ongoing scrutiny suggests that the case's impact on public trust will be a lasting legacy, influencing debates over justice and institutional focus for years to come.