Kevin Gates defends relationship with 26-year-old girlfriend, calls older women “used car lot” in viral rant

A viral 36-second clip of rapper Kevin Gates, 39, has set social media ablaze after he passionately defended his relationship with his 26-year-old girlfriend, Jelenny Tejada, during a live stream.

Gates, known for his unfiltered personality, dismissed critics questioning their 13-year age gap, saying men like him avoid “washed up” older women and went further to compare dating them to visiting a “used car lot.”

The blunt statement, captured live, immediately divided the internet. Gates recently finalized his divorce from Dreka Gates, his longtime partner of 19 years and mother of his two children, and has since embraced his new romance openly.

Since going public with Tejada in mid-2025, the rapper has shared several intimate clips and public appearances, sparking mixed reactions among fans and critics alike.

Within just a few hours, the live-stream segment gathered over 8,000 views and 65 replies, with users flooding the comments in a heated exchange.

Some fans cheered his raw honesty and confidence, while others slammed his remarks as ageist and disrespectful, accusing him of objectifying women and glorifying superficial standards of youth.

The incident underscores a broader debate surrounding gender expectations and double standards in celebrity relationships. For Gates, who has built a career on bold statements and emotional transparency, this controversy is just another reminder of how his authenticity both fuels his fame and stirs endless cultural conversation online.

Watch the video below