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Jake Paul clarifies he called Bad Bunny a ‘fake American’ over ICE criticism
Boxer Jake Paul is saying his comments against Bad Bunny are being “misinterpreted.”
Paul encouraged Super Bowl viewers on Sunday to turn off Bad Bunny’s performance at the halftime show, saying on X that he couldn’t support “a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America.” The Puerto Rican singer was one of several musicians at the 2026 Grammy Awards who criticized Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s nationwide rollout.
Purposefully turning off the halftime show Let’s rally together and show big corporations they can’t just do whatever they want without consequences (which equals viewership for them) You are their benefit. Realize you have power.Turn off this halftime. A fake American…— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 8, 2026
Paul’s comments toward Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, come as Paul currently lives in Puerto Rico, where those born in the territory are U.S. citizens.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and YouTuber Rosanna Pansino both cited how Paul moved to Puerto Rico, with the former accusing him of doing so “to avoid paying your taxes.”
The boxer has since rescinded some of his criticism, saying he called the musician fake because of Bad Bunny’s “values and criticism of our great country.”
“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,” Paul said.
“I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so. 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.”
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.But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing…— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) February 9, 2026
Paul also echoed Bad Bunny’s halftime performance closing statement that “love is more powerful than hate.” On Monday morning, Paul said, “idk what happened on my twitter last night,” and changed his X description to “Benito #1 fan.”
Logan Paul, a wrestler and Jake Paul’s brother, disagreed with his brother’s initial statement against Bad Bunny, saying Puerto Ricans are “Americans,” and he is “happy they were given the opportunity to showcase” their talent.
TURNING POINT USA CELEBRATES ‘OVER 20 MILLION’ VIEWERS FOR ITS ‘ALL-AMERICAN HALFTIME SHOW’
Both Paul brothers have collaborated with President Donald Trump in recent years, as Trump appeared on Logan Paul’s ImPaulsive podcast ahead of the 2024 presidential election. Jake Paul appeared in two TikTok videos with the then-presidential candidate in July 2024, and both brothers attended Trump’s inauguration in January 2025.
Kai Trump, the president’s granddaughter, appeared on the ImPaulsive podcast last month, where she said voters would be “so much more happier” if the Republicans and Democrats “met in the middle.” She also said she personally chooses to “stay out of politics.”
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