Photo File : Cardi B

A Los Angeles jury has cleared rapper Cardi B of assault charges in a $24 million civil lawsuit filed by a security guard who accused her of attacking her with a fingernail outside a doctor’s office in 2018.

The trial, which began last week in Alhambra, centred on allegations by Emani Ellis that Cardi B cut her cheek with a 3-inch fingernail and spat on her during an encounter outside an obstetrician’s office. At the time, Cardi B was four months pregnant with her first child — a fact not publicly known then — prompting the medical office to close for the day to protect her privacy.

Taking the stand, Cardi B gave animated testimony denying the allegations. She told jurors the security guard had followed her, filmed her on her phone, and refused to give her personal space. After about an hour of deliberation, the jury found Cardi B not liable for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, or false imprisonment.

Following the verdict, Cardi B addressed reporters, saying “I work all day and I work hard for my money, for my kids, for the people that I take care of. So don’t you ever think that you’re going to sue me, and I’m just going to settle.”

She also called on her fans to respect Ellis’s privacy now that the case had been resolved.

In a separate incident after the trial, Cardi B, visibly pregnant, confronted a reporter who posed invasive questions about her personal life. The reporter asked “Cardi, insiders are claiming that Offset is publicly bragging about getting you pregnant for the 4th time. Do you foresee any paternity issues with Stefa and Big?”

Cardi B responded by throwing a pen at the journalist and saying firmly “Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me.”

“Do you see women asking those types of questions to me? Why do you feel, as a man, that you get to ask me those kinds of questions? Act like you have some manners. And your mama taught you to respect women.” She continued

The exchange sparked mixed reactions online: while many praised Cardi B for standing up to the intrusive questioning, others expressed concern over her physical reaction so soon after being cleared of assault.

Despite the high-profile court case and her pregnancy, Cardi B demonstrated no hesitation in defending her dignity, underscoring her strength and resilience both inside and outside the courtroom.