Jake Paul sparked massive backlash on social media after calling Bad Bunny a “fake American” ahead of the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 9. Within hours, he reversed course entirely, declaring his love for the Puerto Rican superstar and branding himself a Bad Bunny fan.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Initial Post: Jake Paul urged fans to boycott the halftime show, calling Bad Bunny a “fake American” who “publicly hates America”
- Community Note: X attached a fact-check noting Puerto Ricans have been U.S. citizens since 1917, including both Jake and Bad Bunny
- Family Drama: Brother Logan Paul publicly criticized Jake, saying “Puerto Ricans are Americans”
- Clarification: Jake walked it back Monday, changing his X bio to “Benito #1 fan” and apologizing for the tweet
The Controversial Tweet That Ignited Chaos
America’s Next Top Model documentary drops today on Netflix with shocking revelations
Dana Eden dies at 52, Tehran producer found dead in Athens hotel
Less than two hours before kickoff, Jake Paul posted incendiary comments on X, declaring he would purposefully turn off the halftime performance. “Turn off this halftime,” he wrote. “A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.”
The post immediately drew widespread criticism. X’s community notes quickly attached a fact-check reading that Puerto Rican residents have been considered U.S. citizens since 1917. The note pointedly added that Jake Paul himself has lived in Puerto Rico since 2021 and technically qualifies as a U.S. citizen under the same legal framework.
Brother Logan Paul Calls Out Jake on the Spot
Tommy Lee Jones’ daughter was pregnant before her tragic death, court docs reveal
J Cole announces The Fall-Off world tour, first global dates in decades
Logan Paul, Jake’s WWE-star brother, couldn’t stay silent. Late Sunday night, he posted his own response directly refuting his sibling’s claims. “I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” Logan wrote on X.
He continued, “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.” The family divide reflected broader national controversy surrounding Bad Bunny’s political stance on immigration enforcement, particularly his criticism of ICE tactics, which he highlighted during his recent Grammy acceptance speech.
What Sparked Bad Bunny’s Performance Backlash
Bad Bunny (real name Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio) delivered a message during halftime that sparked the ire of political figures like President Trump, who called the show “absolutely terrible” on Truth Social. The performance featured Spanish-language performances and included Bad Bunny’s outspoken criticism of immigration enforcement policies.
| Timeline Detail | What Happened |
| February 8 | Bad Bunny wins Grammy, says “ICE out” during speech |
| February 9, Afternoon | Jake Paul posts “fake American” tweet 2 hours before halftime |
| February 9, Evening | Bad Bunny delivers halftime show, receives community note on Jake’s tweet |
| February 9, Late Night | Logan Paul publicly disagrees with brother Jake |
| February 10, Morning | Jake completely walks back criticism in multiple tweets |
A mainstream alternative halftime show was offered for viewers who rejected Bad Bunny’s performance, featuring Kid Rock and organized by Turning Point USA. The alternative show lasted approximately 30 minutes, longer than Bad Bunny’s main stadium performance.
“The problem with my tweet is the word fake being misinterpreted. He’s not a fake citizen obviously bc hes 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.”
— Jake Paul, via X (February 10)
Jake’s Rapid Reversal and Attempted Damage Control
By Monday morning, Jake Paul shifted tactics dramatically. He changed his X bio to read “Benito #1 fan,” signaling complete support for the performer. Within hours, he posted multiple clarifications attempting to explain his original message without appearing to flip-flop entirely.
“I love bad bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night,” he wrote at one point, suggesting his account had been compromised. Later, he attempted a more elaborate clarification, arguing he meant “fake” in terms of values rather than citizenship, claiming he opposed anyone who “benefits from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time.”
He also referenced Hunter Hess, an American freestyle skier who faced criticism for expressing “mixed emotions” about representing the U.S. at the 2026 Winter Olympics in his attempted justification.
Will Jake Paul Face Long-Term Consequences for This Misstep?
The controversy highlights Jake Paul’s unpredictable approach to social media activism. Both Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and other critics pounced, with AOC particularly sharp in her response, noting Jake had “moved to Puerto Rico to avoid paying taxes” while Bad Bunny actively “funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs.”
Despite his attempted walkback, the incident exposed deep divisions in celebrity responses to Bad Bunny’s political stance on immigration. Bad Bunny’s historic performance set new viewership records for a Super Bowl halftime show, ultimately validating the choice while marking Jake Paul’s criticism as culturally tone-deaf and factually inaccurate.
Sources
- USA Today – Comprehensive coverage of Jake Paul’s initial criticism, community note correction, and complete walkback with direct quotes
- NBC News – Reporting on Logan Paul’s public rebuke and broader political context including Trump and Rep. AOC’s reactions
- Awful Announcing – Timeline documenting Jake Paul’s multiple clarifications and reversal within 24 hours
Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.