Quick Read
- Logan Paul publicly disagreed with his brother Jake Paul over comments labeling Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” after the Super Bowl halftime show.
- Jake Paul initially called for a boycott of Bad Bunny’s performance, citing his perceived anti-American stance.
- Logan Paul clarified that Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens and praised the opportunity for island talent to be showcased.
- Jake Paul later redefined “fake citizen” to refer to those criticizing ICE or openly hating America, not those from Puerto Rico.
- U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Jake Paul for moving to Puerto Rico for tax benefits, contrasting it with Bad Bunny’s community support.
LOS ANGELES (Azat TV) – Logan Paul, the prominent internet personality and WWE champion, publicly pushed back against his brother Jake Paul’s incendiary comments late Sunday, which labeled six-time Grammy winner Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” following his Super Bowl halftime performance. The public disagreement, unfolding on X, underscored a national debate over Puerto Rican identity and immigration, amplified by the Paul brothers’ own controversial residency in the U.S. territory.
The controversy ignited when Jake Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, announced on X his intention to boycott the Super Bowl halftime show. He urged followers to “rally together and show big corporations they can’t just do whatever they want without consequences,” framing his disdain for Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, as a stand against corporate influence. Jake Paul stated he was “purposefully turning off the halftime show” because of “A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.”
Hours later, Logan Paul, 30, swiftly responded, expressing his love for his brother but clear disagreement with the sentiment. “I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” Logan Paul wrote on X. He directly addressed the citizenship claim, emphasizing, “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.” This stance aligned with a community note appended to Jake Paul’s original post, which reminded readers that Puerto Rican natives have been identified as U.S. citizens since 1917, and even Jake Paul, who has lived in Puerto Rico since 2021, technically qualifies as a U.S. citizen.
Jake Paul Clarifies Stance on Bad Bunny and Citizenship
As criticism mounted, Jake Paul, 29, began clarifying his original comments on Monday morning. He initially denied calling anyone a “fake citizen” because they are from Puerto Rico, stating, “I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. Period.” However, he then shifted his definition of “fake citizen” to encompass individuals who “publicly criticiz[e] ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America.” Jake Paul maintained that if someone benefits from the U.S. and its platforms but “publicly disrespect[s] it at the same time, that’s what I mean by being a fake citizen.”
This clarification followed Bad Bunny’s own remarks a week prior at the Grammy Awards, where he won best música urbana album for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” During his acceptance speech, he declared “ICE out” and emphasized, “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
Political and Public Reactions to Bad Bunny’s Performance
The Paul brothers’ dispute and Bad Bunny’s performance also drew significant political and public commentary. U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), whose parents trace their roots to Puerto Rico, sharply criticized Jake Paul on Monday. She accused him of moving to Puerto Rico “to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry,” contrasting his actions with Benito’s efforts to fund low-income children’s access to arts and sports programs. “Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small,” Ocasio-Cortez asserted.
The Paul brothers indeed moved to Puerto Rico in 2021, primarily to leverage tax benefits, a fact Logan Paul previously confirmed in an interview with Graham Bensinger. This background added another layer of complexity to Jake Paul’s criticisms of Bad Bunny’s loyalty to the U.S.
Beyond the Paul family drama, other prominent figures weighed in on the halftime show. Former President Donald Trump derided the performance as “absolutely terrible,” expressing disapproval of Spanish lyrics, stating, “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” and criticizing the “disgusting” dancing. Similarly, former “Real Housewives of New York” cast member Jill Zarin called it “the worst halftime show ever,” complaining about a perceived lack of white performers and her inability to understand the Spanish lyrics in a now-deleted Instagram video.
For football fans who opted not to watch Bad Bunny, an alternate halftime show headlined by Kid Rock was streamed by Turning Point USA, offering a different entertainment option during the Super Bowl.
The public spat between the Paul brothers, coupled with broader political commentary, highlights the persistent complexities and cultural sensitivities surrounding national identity, immigration policy, and the status of Puerto Rico within the American consciousness.