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False Claims of Cardi B’s $175 Million School Project Debunked
A wave of viral social media posts claiming rapper Cardi B invested millions in a Chicago boarding school for orphaned and homeless children has been revealed as entirely fabricated, according to fact-checkers.
The unsubstantiated rumor, which began circulating in late November, alleged the Grammy-winning artist had signed a deal worth £137 million (approximately $175 million) to build “The Belcalis Academy of Hope.” According to these posts, the facility would provide housing, mentorship, and educational programs centered on spiritual values for vulnerable youth.
The claims gained significant traction on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, where emotionally charged language and compelling visuals helped propel the story to thousands of shares. Many posts described the project as a “dream born of grief” and positioned it as a landmark humanitarian effort personally designed by the rapper.
However, an investigation into these assertions reveals a complete absence of credible evidence. No statements have been issued by Cardi B, her representatives, Chicago city officials, or any legitimate charitable organization regarding such a project. The story lacks fundamental documentation such as planning records, press releases, or financial disclosures that would accompany a philanthropic venture of this magnitude.
Multiple fact-checking organizations have officially labeled the story false, noting it follows a familiar pattern of fabricated celebrity charity stories that regularly circulate on social media. The narrative gained particular believability because it was attached to a celebrity with genuine philanthropic history.
Cardi B, born Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, has established herself as one of hip-hop’s most influential voices since transitioning from social media personality to mainstream success. Her 2018 debut album “Invasion of Privacy” earned her a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album, cementing her position in the music industry. Throughout her career, she has maintained a candid public presence that has resonated with fans across platforms.
While the Chicago school project is fictional, Cardi B has made verifiable contributions to education. In 2022, she donated £79,000 (approximately $100,000) to her former middle school, I.S. 232 Alexander Macomb School in the Bronx. School administrators confirmed these funds were allocated to support arts programs, including music and dance initiatives.
During that documented visit, Cardi B addressed students about educational perseverance and self-confidence—themes consistent with her public statements about personal growth and opportunity. This legitimate charitable activity likely made the fabricated Chicago school story seem plausible to casual observers.
The false narrative also gained credibility through sophisticated presentation, with many posts featuring polished graphics designed to resemble breaking news announcements. Some iterations of the rumor attempted to create additional legitimacy by falsely linking other public figures, including conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, to the non-existent project.
This incident highlights growing concerns about misinformation spread through social media channels, particularly stories capitalizing on celebrity influence and philanthropic expectations. Public figures increasingly find themselves attached to fictional charitable efforts, creating challenges for legitimate organizations and potentially misleading supporters.
Media literacy experts recommend verifying claims about major philanthropic initiatives through established news sources or official statements before sharing such content. For celebrities like Cardi B, who maintain active public profiles, the spread of false information creates unnecessary confusion about their actual community involvement and charitable priorities.
As of this report, Cardi B has not publicly addressed the fabricated school project claims.
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6 Comments
It’s frustrating to see how quickly these kinds of fabricated stories can gain traction online. I’m glad the facts were able to be set straight here. Maintaining integrity and trust in news and information is so crucial, especially around sensitive topics like homelessness and youth programs.
This is a great example of why we need to be so cautious about what we see and read online, even if it seems compelling or heartwarming. I appreciate the diligence of the fact-checkers in getting to the bottom of these false claims about Cardi B’s supposed school project. Verifying information is crucial, especially around important social issues.
Very interesting, thanks for sharing this fact check. It’s concerning to see these kinds of fabricated claims spread so quickly on social media. I’m glad the truth was able to be revealed through proper investigation. Transparency and fact-checking are so important, especially around high-profile charitable initiatives.
This is a good reminder of the importance of thorough fact-checking, even for seemingly positive stories. It’s disheartening to see misinformation spread so rapidly, but I’m glad the truth was able to come out. We need to be more critical consumers of information, particularly when it comes to high-profile public figures and their charitable efforts.
Wow, this is a wild story. I’m not surprised to see these claims about Cardi B’s supposed school project were completely made up. It’s really disappointing when people spread misinformation, even if it’s presented as a positive story. Kudos to the fact-checkers for getting to the bottom of this.
Absolutely, the rapid spread of these false claims on social media is very concerning. We need to be more vigilant about verifying information, especially when it involves celebrity philanthropy.