A Los Angeles jury has ruled in favor of rapper Cardi B, clearing her of all charges in a $24 million civil lawsuit. The suit was brought by a security guard, Emani Ellis, who alleged that Cardi B assaulted her with a fingernail outside a doctor's office in 2018.

The week-long trial in Alhambra focused on Ellis's claims that the rapper cut her cheek with a 3-inch fingernail and spat on her. At the time of the incident, Cardi B, who was four months pregnant with her first child, testified that the security guard followed her, filmed her, and refused to give her personal space.

After deliberating for just over an hour, the jury found Cardi B not liable for assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, and false imprisonment. Following the verdict, the rapper addressed reporters, stating, "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 incident following the trial, Cardi B, visibly pregnant, confronted a reporter who asked disrespectful questions about her personal life. The exchange, which was captured on video, showed the reporter asking about her pregnancy and paternity issues with her partner. Cardi B responded by throwing a pen at the reporter and firmly stating, "Stop disrespecting me. Don’t disrespect me." She went on to challenge the reporter, "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 from the public. While many praised her for her bold stance against disrespect, others expressed concern that she resorted to a physical gesture so soon after being cleared of assault allegations.