A 4-year-old Southern California girl who gained viral attention for making lighthearted NFL game predictions alongside her father is now the target of online harassment and death threats, according to her family, after angry gamblers blamed her for their losses, as reported [1] by The New York Post.
Reese Donatelli, a preschooler from Southern California, became an internet sensation through a recurring social media segment called “Trust the Toddler,” created by her father, Anthony Donatelli, a local radio personality.
The videos showed Reese selecting winners of professional football games by choosing between miniature NFL helmets, often based on colors, logos, or childlike associations.
Even Cardi B got in the mix, saying, “little white girl said we’re going to win. F–k that bitch!”
Typical liberals. pic.twitter.com/lw8XRJAZi5 [2]
— ❤🎹 Ames 🎹❤ (@Real_Ames) January 22, 2026 [3]
What began as a father-daughter activity intended to teach Reese about colors and geography quickly attracted a massive online audience.
Videos of Reese enthusiastically grabbing helmets racked up millions of views, thousands of likes, and an overwhelmingly positive response during much of the NFL season.
That tone shifted earlier this month during the NFL Wild Card round. According to Anthony Donatelli, Reese began missing a number of game predictions, including picks involving teams such as the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As clips of the incorrect predictions circulated, some viewers began treating the videos less as entertainment and more as gambling advice.
The reaction escalated rapidly. Donatelli said the comments section for the “Trust the Toddler” series became hostile, eventually turning into explicit threats directed at his young daughter and family.
Uh Oh: This little girl is 0-8 on her NFL playoff picks so far…
RIP to the Patriots and Bears today 🙏🫣 pic.twitter.com/AaJb89UYZE [4]
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) January 18, 2026 [5]
“She’s obviously not an NFL analyst,” Donatelli told the Los Angeles Times.
“She’s picking teams based on the color of her dress, or she’ll pick the Packers because she likes cheese. She just relates these silly little things as reasons why she picks certain teams.”
Donatelli said the family was stunned by the intensity of the backlash, describing the situation as “nuts.”
He emphasized that the videos were never intended to encourage gambling and that Reese has no understanding of sports betting.
The controversy drew wider attention after rapper Cardi B referenced Reese during an Instagram Live session following a game in which Reese picked the New England Patriots to defeat the Houston Texans.
During the livestream, Cardi B said, “little white girl said we’re going to win. F–k that bitch!” She immediately followed up by saying, “I didn’t mean to say that.”
Reese’s prediction in that matchup ultimately proved correct, though that outcome did little to quiet the online hostility that had already developed.
Anthony Donatelli said the experience highlights a broader issue with social media culture, where viral content involving children can quickly attract attention from audiences who take it far beyond its original intent.
He said steps are being taken to protect Reese and limit exposure to negative interactions online.
The family has not disclosed whether law enforcement has been contacted regarding the threats, but Donatelli said the focus remains on keeping his daughter safe and shielding her from the online backlash.