Jake Paul is clarifying his criticism about Bad Bunny after his own brother, Logan Paul, called him out for saying the rapper is a “fake American citizen” ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance.
“To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico,” Jake, 29, wrote via X on Monday, February 9. “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.”
Jake added that he was speaking to Bad Bunny’s criticism of President Donald Trump’s policies, specifically regarding immigration.
“But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I’m going to speak on it,” he continued. “Period. That’s the same reason I called out Hunter Hess.” (Hess, 27, is an Olympic freestyle skier who said that even as part of Team USA, he doesn’t represent “everything that’s going on in the U.S.”)
Jake continued, “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.”
He concluded his statement by echoing what Bad Bunny, 31, said at the 2026 Grammy Awards and what was flashed on the Levi’s Stadium scoreboard after his halftime show ended.
“And I agree love is more powerful than hate,” Jake wrote. “Love America.”
Bad Bunny’s halftime performance featured multiple references to his family and Puerto Rican roots. Conservative politicians and pundits criticized the decision to have him perform due to his primarily Spanish lyrics in addition to his criticism of Trump, 79.
Jake’s post came after Logan, 30, called out his brother for his original statement.
“I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” he wrote on Sunday, February 8. “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.”
Earlier in the evening, Jake wrote via X that he would be “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),” he wrote. “You are their benefit. Realize you have power.”
He added, “Turn off this halftime. A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.”
Logan wasn’t the only one to call out Jake for his posts. New York congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who is of Puerto Rican descent, blasted him, pointing out that Jake himself moved to Puerto Rico.
“A ‘fake American citizen?’” she wrote via X on Monday. “Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry? Meanwhile Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them.”
She added, “Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”
Jake seemingly poked fun at the controversy on Monday, changing his bio on X to “Benito #1 fan,” referring to Bad Bunny’s full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
He also posted, “Guys i love bad bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night ?? wtf.”
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