Rapper Cardi B launched her first-ever headlining arena tour with a defiant message about immigration enforcement, telling fans at California’s Acrisure Arena that she would protect concertgoers from federal agents.
During the Wednesday kickoff of her “Little Miss Drama Tour” in Greater Palm Springs, the Grammy-winning artist paused her 37-song set to address Immigration and Customs Enforcement, declaring she would physically confront any agents who entered the venue.
The Bronx-born performer made the comments before performing her hit song “I Like It” during the Latin music segment of her show. According to reports from Billboard and other outlets, she told the crowd she had defensive spray backstage and vowed that authorities would not remove any attendees.
The politically charged moment represents the latest instance of Cardi B using her platform for activism. The rapper has been vocally engaged in political issues since 2016, when she encouraged voters to support Sen. Bernie Sanders and expressed concerns about immigration policies. She partnered with Mr. Sanders on campaign videos in 2019, discussing issues including student debt and police brutality, and later interviewed then-candidate Joe Biden in 2020 about healthcare and racial justice.
In interviews, Cardi B has discussed her interest in politics dating back to high school, when she took Advanced Placement government courses. She has cited President Franklin D. Roosevelt as her favorite president for his New Deal policies.
The tour supports her sophomore album “Am I the Drama?,” released in late 2025 — nearly eight years after her debut “Invasion of Privacy.” The 23-track record features collaborations with Selena Gomez and Summer Walker.
The opening night performance came days after Cardi B made a surprise appearance during Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show. The Puerto Rican superstar used his performance platform to display messages about unity, which preceded similar themes at Cardi B’s tour launch.
The “Little Miss Drama Tour” includes 35 North American dates, with upcoming stops in Las Vegas, New York’s Madison Square Garden, Chicago and other major cities through mid-April. The tour continues Friday at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Social media reactions to the opening night were mixed, with supporters praising the artist’s advocacy while critics questioned the appropriateness of the remarks.
Representatives for Cardi B and ICE did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
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