Cardi B is facing intense criticism online after reacting to the sentencing of Karmelo Anthony, the 19-year-old convicted in the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Austin Metcalf during a high school track meet in Frisco, Texas. Her comments came shortly after Anthony was sentenced to 35 years in prison, bringing renewed attention to a case that has already sparked national debate.
Anthony was found guilty of murder in connection with the April 2025 stabbing, which happened during a confrontation at a track and field event between students from rival schools. Prosecutors argued that Anthony used deadly force when he had other choices, while the defense maintained that he acted in self-defense during a tense and fast-moving exchange.
After the sentence was announced, Cardi B posted her reaction on X, writing that the outcome was “disgusting” and claiming the court was trying to make an example out of Anthony. Her statement quickly spread across social media, where many people accused her of speaking too soon and ignoring the pain of Austin Metcalf’s family.
Critics said the timing of her post was especially upsetting because Metcalf’s family had just endured the trial, the guilty verdict, and the sentencing. To them, the rapper’s comments felt dismissive of a grieving family that had spent more than a year waiting for accountability after losing a son, brother, and friend.
The trial had already become deeply divisive, with supporters of Anthony arguing that race, self-defense, and the circumstances of the confrontation were not being treated fairly. Others strongly disagreed, pointing to witness testimony that Anthony refused repeated requests to leave the area and warned Metcalf before the stabbing.
According to testimony presented in court, Anthony was under a team tent that was not assigned to his school when Metcalf and others asked him to move. Witnesses said the confrontation escalated after repeated requests, and Anthony allegedly told Metcalf, “Touch me and find out,” before the situation turned physical.
When Metcalf pushed Anthony, jurors heard that Anthony pulled a knife from his bag and stabbed him once in the chest. Metcalf’s twin brother, Hunter, and other students tried to help as the teenager collapsed, while coaches later stopped Anthony after he attempted to leave the scene.
The jury rejected Anthony’s self-defense claim and later sentenced him to 35 years in prison. Outside the courthouse, emotions ran high as some supporters shouted that the verdict was unfair, while others said the sentence reflected the seriousness of taking a life at a school event.
Cardi B’s reaction added another layer to the public argument, with many people questioning whether celebrities should comment on sensitive criminal cases without addressing the full impact on victims’ families. Others defended her right to speak, saying public figures can question court outcomes just like anyone else.
The backlash shows how emotional and divided the case remains even after sentencing. For Anthony’s supporters, the sentence has raised questions about fairness and punishment. For Austin Metcalf’s family and those who support them, the focus remains on a teenager who never came home from a track meet and the grief that continues long after the courtroom decision.
