Cardi B Says She ‘Tried to Warn Y’all’ About Trump’s SNAP Cuts — and Fans Are Finally Listening

NEW YORK, November 2025 — As millions of Americans prepare for the holidays amid rising grocery prices, rapper Cardi B has reignited a political firestorm — this time, over food insecurity. The Grammy-winning artist took to social media this week to slam the Trump administration’s cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), claiming she warned the public last year that these policies were coming.

“People are complaining that they have taken away food stamps,” Cardi said in a passionate video posted to X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. “Mind you, Thanksgiving is next month. No one listened when I said this would happen — I tried to warn y’all.”

The rapper, known as much for her outspoken social commentary as her chart-topping hits, was referring to remarks she made while campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris during the 2024 presidential race. At the time, clips of her rally speech in Milwaukee went viral for her mispronunciation of “Trump” as “Shrump,” which became a meme. Now, she’s reminding audiences that behind the jokes was a serious warning about the fate of government aid programs.

A Decade of Cuts, $187 Billion in Reductions

Cardi’s frustration follows confirmation from federal budget analysts that the Trump administration’s updated fiscal plan includes nearly $187 billion in reductions to SNAP over the next ten years. The program, which provides food assistance to over 40 million low-income Americans, faces tighter eligibility rules and decreased funding for nutrition outreach.

The administration defends the cuts as part of a broader effort to “reduce dependency and encourage self-sufficiency.” But advocacy groups argue that such measures will hit working families hardest — particularly during a time when inflation has already stretched household budgets.

Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, warned that millions could face food insecurity as a result. “We’re already seeing longer lines at pantries,” said spokesperson Lila Ramirez. “Cutting SNAP right before the holidays sends a devastating message to families struggling to put food on the table.”

‘It’s Bigger Than Me Saying Shrump’

Cardi B’s video — viewed more than 12 million times within 24 hours — opens with her signature bluntness but ends with a pointed political reflection.

“What I was saying back then was bigger than me saying ‘Shrump,’” she said. “It was about real people who depend on these programs. It’s not politics — it’s survival.”

Fans flooded the comments with support, calling her “the people’s rapper” and praising her for using her platform to spotlight economic injustice. Even critics who often dismiss her political opinions acknowledged the accuracy of her warning.

Still, some conservative commentators mocked her renewed activism, accusing her of “grandstanding.” But Cardi — no stranger to controversy — doubled down, tweeting later that night:

“Y’all love to clown me until the same people you voted for start taking from your fridge.”

From the Stage to the Soapbox

Cardi B’s activism isn’t new. The Bronx-born rapper has a history of political outspokenness that cuts through celebrity polish. In 2019, she publicly grilled then-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders about healthcare reform, later endorsing his platform before supporting Kamala Harris in 2024.

Her political rants, often infused with humor and profanity, have made her a relatable voice for younger voters — particularly women of color. Yet she’s often dismissed by pundits who underestimate her grasp of policy.

“Cardi’s commentary may sound unfiltered, but it connects because it’s grounded in lived experience,” said Dr. Simone Harris, a pop culture analyst at NYU. “She speaks like someone sitting at the kitchen table, not behind a podium.”

The Human Cost Behind the Hashtags

While social media buzzed over Cardi’s “I told you so,” the story she highlighted is no laughing matter. The latest data from the USDA shows food insecurity has climbed 12 percent year-over-year, particularly among single mothers and rural families.

One Wisconsin mother, interviewed at a local food bank, said she felt seen by the rapper’s message. “I don’t care what people think of Cardi B — she’s right,” said Danielle M., 34. “They keep cutting programs that feed kids, and everyone jokes until they need help too.”

Politics, Pop, and the Power of Plain Talk

Cardi’s critics often accuse her of being “too loud” or “too political.” But supporters argue that she embodies a rare kind of celebrity candor — one that bridges pop culture and policy.

“When Cardi B says something, it doesn’t sound like Washington,” noted Rolling Stone columnist Brandon Lewis. “It sounds like the friend who’s been paying attention — and who’s mad that nobody else did.”

As the debate over SNAP funding intensifies in Congress, her words may echo louder than some politicians’. She ends her viral video with one final warning:

“You can laugh at me all you want. But you can’t eat memes for dinner.”

The bottom line: As Thanksgiving nears, Cardi B’s message — part rage, part realism — captures a national anxiety that transcends party lines. Whether listeners see her as an activist or an agitator, her voice is once again proving impossible to ignore.