Jake Paul, the controversial influencer and boxer who resides in Puerto Rico, ignited a firestorm of criticism after labeling Bad Bunny a "fake American" during the Super Bowl LX halftime show. Paul's comments, made via a post on X, called for fans to boycott the performance. He urged viewers to "turn off this halftime," arguing that audiences hold power over major corporations tied to the event. Paul's stated reason was that Bad Bunny, a Puerto Rican superstar, "publicly hates America".
The remarks quickly drew backlash, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of Paul's statement, considering he lives in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, and Bad Bunny is an American citizen by birth. Critics, including U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also highlighted that Paul's move to Puerto Rico was allegedly motivated by tax benefits. Paul's brother, Logan Paul, also distanced himself from the comments.
Faced with mounting criticism, Jake Paul attempted to clarify his stance in a series of follow-up posts on X. He claimed his "fake American citizen" label was being misinterpreted. "He's not a fake citizen obviously because he's Puerto Rican, and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country," Paul wrote. He then shifted his argument, asserting that his issue with Bad Bunny stemmed from the artist's values and criticism of the United States, particularly his opposition to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Paul stated that if someone benefits from a country and the platform it provides but publicly disrespects it, that is what he considers being a "fake citizen".
However, the clarification did little to quell the controversy. Critics continued to call out Paul's initial statement as discriminatory and hypocritical. Some observers noted the irony of Paul, who has faced numerous controversies and legal issues throughout his career, questioning another person's American identity.
Adding another layer to the situation, this isn't the first time the Paul brothers have publicly criticized Bad Bunny. In 2022, Logan Paul accused Bad Bunny of hypocrisy, claiming the artist was privately benefiting from the same tax programs he publicly condemned. These tax programs are a major reason why both Logan and Jake Paul moved to Puerto Rico in 2021. Bad Bunny's documentary, "El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente," addressed gentrification and the displacement of local Puerto Ricans, indirectly referencing the influx of wealthy outsiders like the Pauls.
The Super Bowl LX halftime show, which featured the first all-Spanish set, was a historic moment celebrating Puerto Rican pride and Latin American culture. Bad Bunny used the stage to emphasize that America is a continent comprising many countries. Despite the controversy sparked by Jake Paul's comments, the performance was a resounding success, drawing record viewership. Hours after his clarification posts, Paul seemed to backtrack entirely, posting "Guys i love bad bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night ?? wtf".