Boxer and influencer Jake Paul found himself in hot water after criticizing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance—then had to walk back claims that sparked massive backlash online.
The controversy erupted when Paul announced he was boycotting the show because the Puerto Rican superstar “publicly hates America.”
But his words triggered an immediate firestorm, forcing Paul to issue not one but multiple clarifications about what he really meant.
Here’s what actually went down—and why Paul’s comments about citizenship sparked such intense controversy.
The Original Tweet That Started Everything
Paul, who purchased a $20 million mansion in Dorado, Puerto Rico back in 2023, initially stated he was “purposely turning off the halftime show” and couldn’t support Bad Bunny’s performance.
His reasoning? The Grammy-winning artist “publicly hates America,” according to Paul’s interpretation of Bad Bunny’s political stances.
The backlash was swift and brutal. X (formerly Twitter) even flagged Paul’s tweet with a community note reminding readers that Paul has been living in Puerto Rico since 2021—and that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens.
Paul’s First Attempt at Damage Control
Realizing the magnitude of his misstep, Paul rushed to clarify his position in a follow-up post.
To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico. I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so.
Paul continued by explaining his actual grievance: Bad Bunny’s public criticism of ICE and what Paul perceives as disrespect toward America.
But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I’m going to speak on it. Period.
He even drew comparisons to Hunter Hess, the U.S. Olympic skier who expressed “mixed emotions” about representing America on the world stage.
What Paul Really Meant By “Fake Citizen”
In his clarification, Paul attempted to redefine his use of the inflammatory phrase.
If you benefit from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time, that’s what I mean by being a fake citizen.
Paul concluded his statement with: “And I agree love is more powerful than hate. Love America.”
But the damage was already done. His initial framing had already suggested Puerto Ricans weren’t “real” Americans—a particularly tone-deaf statement given ongoing debates about Puerto Rico’s political status.
Paul’s Second Clarification Got Even Messier
Still facing criticism, Paul posted yet another explanation, this time admitting his word choice was problematic.
The problem with my tweet is the word fake being misinterpreted he’s not a fake citizen obviously bc he’s Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country Moreso Bunny is fake bc of his values and criticism of our great country.
Translation: Paul wasn’t questioning Bad Bunny’s legal citizenship status, but rather his patriotic credentials based on political statements.
Why Bad Bunny Became a Target
Bad Bunny’s 13-minute Super Bowl halftime performance became controversial for two main reasons:
- The entire set was performed in Spanish, which some viewers criticized as inappropriate for America’s biggest sporting event
- His public stance against ICE and immigration enforcement policies aligned him against current administration priorities
The six-time Grammy winner used his platform to present a message of unity while paying homage to his Latin culture and heritage.
President Donald Trump also weighed in, calling Bad Bunny’s performance “an affront to the Greatness of America.”
Paul’s Political Positioning
The controversy comes as Paul has increasingly aligned himself with conservative political figures and causes.
Just days before the Super Bowl drama, Paul sat alongside U.S. Vice President JD Vance at the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, watching Team USA women’s hockey dominate Finland 5-0.
His public association with high-ranking government officials suggests Paul is deliberately building a political brand—one that emphasizes patriotism and support for current administration policies.
The Irony Nobody’s Missing
Critics were quick to point out the glaring contradiction in Paul’s position.
He’s lived in Puerto Rico since 2021—reportedly to take advantage of tax benefits offered to wealthy residents under Acts 20 and 22 (now Act 60).
These incentives allow mainland Americans who relocate to Puerto Rico to dramatically reduce their tax burden. In other words, Paul himself is “benefiting from” his Puerto Rican residency while simultaneously questioning the patriotism of an actual Puerto Rican native.
The situation highlights ongoing tensions around Puerto Rico’s unique status as a U.S. territory—where residents are citizens but lack full voting representation in Congress and can’t vote for president unless they relocate to a state.
Whether Paul’s multiple clarifications will satisfy critics remains to be seen, but the incident demonstrates how quickly celebrity political commentary can backfire when facts about citizenship and residency get muddled with opinions about patriotism.