In what is perhaps the most 2020 pop culture story we've seen in a while, Offset was detained at a Trump rally – and it all went down on Instagram Live.
Last night in Beverly Hills, Offset and Cardi B's cousin, Marcelo Almanzar, were stopped by cops after cruising near a Trump rally, TMZ reports. The Migos rapper was on live-stream when the police approached them, capturing the interaction in real-time.
Offset was pulled over on Instagram Live after police said they received reports the rapper and Almanzar "pointed a weapon from a vehicle" at a passerby. The rapper told police that they just witnessed someone beating up his car with a flag, though he claimed they didn't do anything about it. From there, an officer tried to open the door of Offset's car from the inside as the rapper told him, "That's not legal."
The Livestream showed Offset sitting in the driver's seat of his car with his hands clearly visible. Officers at the scene instructed him to turn off his car but he refused. "I'm not doing no orders, you got guns out pointed at me, bro," a clearly shaken Offset replied. The cops asked again, but Offset doubled down: "I'm not doing that, because you got guns out. I'm not fittin to move my hand from my steering wheel."
After Offset refused to exit the car, the officers opened the door and forcibly removed him from the vehicle. You can watch the altercation below – warning, this may be distressing.
The cops then proceeded to cuff both passengers, as shown in multiple videos from eyewitnesses. Soon after, Cardi B arrived at the scene.
The Beverly Hills police later shared that Almanazar was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon and carrying a loaded firearm in public. Almanzar's bail is set at $35K. Police also clarified that Offset was never arrested. The rapper was spotted being released from police detainment and walking up to Cardi's car.
In a statement released to XXL, Offset's team addressed the incident. "Artist and philanthropist, Offset, was detained by the Beverly Hills Police Department following an attack by aggressive Trump supporters," the statement reads. "He was released shortly thereafter. Offset thanks his fans for their support and wishes everyone peace and safety during these trying times. He encourages everyone to get out and vote because nothing changes if nothing changes."
