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

The trial began last week in Alhambra, centring on allegations made 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 of the incident, Cardi B was four months pregnant with her first child, a fact that was not publicly known and led the medical office to close for the day to protect her privacy.

During the trial, Cardi B took the stand and gave lively testimony about the confrontation, denying the allegations and describing how the security guard followed her, filmed her on her phone, and refused to give her personal space.

Ellis said the encounter “traumatised” her, but after deliberating for just about an hour, the jury found Cardi B not liable for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment.

Following the verdict, Cardi B spoke to 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 urged her fans to respect the privacy of Ellis and her family now that the case was resolved.

In a separate moment of controversy after the trial, Cardi B, visibly pregnant, confronted a reporter who asked disrespectful questions about her personal life.

The exchange included the reporter asking, “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?”

To which Cardi B sharply responded by throwing a pen at the reporter, saying firmly, “Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me.”

She went on to challenge the reporter directly: “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.”

The confrontation drew mixed reactions, while many praised Cardi B for her bold stance against disrespect, others expressed concern that she resorted to a physical gesture of anger so soon after being cleared of assault allegations.

Despite facing a high-profile court case and being heavily pregnant, Cardi B showed no hesitation in standing up for herself and demanding respect, underscoring her strength and resilience both inside and outside the courtroom.