Cardi B praises Saudi Arabia as cleaner but stricter than America, sparking online discussion

Cardi B has praised life in Saudi Arabia, describing it as cleaner and safer than the United States while noting the environment is strictly policed and culturally conservative. During a visit to the kingdom, she described the country as 'very strict out here' and warned that 'they will put you under the jail.' She added that, despite the severity, following the rules is straightforward and that the streets are bright and clean.

She acknowledged initial hesitations about restrictions on women and LGBTQ people but said reforms have opened up more in recent years. She cited changes such as women being allowed to drive in 2018, while also noting limits—such as restrictions on religious symbols like crosses: 'Can't wear no crosses or nothing... They don't be playing over here.' She contrasted with the U.S., saying Americans are lacking in courtesy and that 'America is ghetto' in some respects, though she is American herself. She praised the cleanliness of Saudi cities and said she hasn't seen the same homelessness she observed in parts of the United States: 'I haven't even seen a bum. I don't think there's bums here.'

Her remarks come as a wave of American performers have entertained audiences in Saudi Arabia, a trend that some critics say reflects growing cultural exchanges between the Saudi kingdom and Western entertainment. The comments also touch on ongoing international scrutiny over rights in the country, including the 2018 murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. In her more pointed observations about the United States, she described the country as declining and criticized taxes and online chatter from political figures.

Sources say Fox News Digital reached out to Cardi B's representatives for comment. After leaving Saudi Arabia, she posted a video titled 'Coming back to America from Saudi Arabia and realizing this what I'm coming home to,' showing her distressed by the sounds of loudly crying babies and a woman speaking in a foreign language.

Image credits: The following visuals accompany this report to provide context from the visit.