Cardi B has bitten back at her critics after she came under fire for a tweet about buying a US$88,000 handbag that Twitter users dubbed "deeply insensitive" amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 28-year-old rapper put a shopping question to her 15.4 million Twitter followers, asking: "Should I spend 88K for this damn purse ? Omggg it's tempting".
The tweet immediately prompted outrage, as social media users slammed Cardi B as "tone deaf" for flaunting her wealth during a time where so many people were dealing with unemployment and financial uncertainty.
"Cardi. Pls stop sis. I beg of you. We’re in a pandemic with high unemployment and people in food lines... Log off and stop being goofy," one tweet read.
"Cardi B tweeting about an 88K purse, - it's not just her, it's all celebrities flaunting money and wealth during this Covid-19 pandemic. Kim K with her private island tweet etc. It's completely tone deaf. How can they stomach tweeting like this ? I would feel horrible," said another.
The 'WAP' hitmaker did not take the backlash lying down, however, pointing out various COVID-19 relief causes she had donated to throughout the year, and reminding the public she donated US$1 million to her fans via the mobile payment service Cashapp two months ago.
"It doesn't matter how much money you give away," one Twitter user replied.
"Tweeting about buying an $88,000 purse in the midst of a pandemic where people are skipping meals and terrified that they'll be evicted, is deeply insensitive and unnecessary."
Even a fan of Cardi B who received money from the rapper earlier this year chimed in, telling the Grammy winner her charity did not preclude her from this kind of critique.
"I was a grateful recipient of $500 from you this summer, " the tweet read.
"Despite your charity, your tweet about spending $88k when people are literally struggling to survive is insensitive...We love you and we want you to learn from this!"
Cardi B did not take kindly to the comment, tweeting: "The same people that you donate to are the same people that’s going to talk shit about you In a couple of months?"
"[I have] seven uncles and three aunts on my daddy's side, nine aunts and three uncles on my momma's side, a whole bunch of cousins I had to help cause of the pandemic ....If I want to splurge I can, without y'all asking for handouts like me and my husband don't do so [sic]," the rapper wrote in another tweet.
Cardi B then offered up a challenge to her followers to "drop receipts" on what they had donated to, and she would match it and donate to the same organisation.
The 'I Like It' hitmaker did eventually make an apology amidst a string of angry tweets, writing: "Ok guys I apologise.There you happy ?! I don't see ya askin Trump for a apology when he out here missing COVID meetings to play golf but…[sic]" followed by an 'okay' emoji.
Retweeting some fans that sent messages of support and pointed out Cardi B's previous good deeds, the mother-of-one said she was "getting scared to tweet," and complained that "these new generation Americans are different types of crybabies".
The rapper soon reverted to defending her purchase however, tweeting pictures of the purse and declaring: "Definitely buying the bag now," followed by a shrug emoji, before adding: "Go cry about it."
