Jake Paul had something to say regarding Bad Bunny\u2019s selection as this year\u2019s Super Bowl halftime performer and now has to explain himself amid controversy.<\/p>\n
Ahead of Super Bowl XL on Sunday, Paul tweeted in protest of the Puerto Rican megastar\u2019s booking, writing that he is \u201cpurposefully turning off the halftime show.\u201d Bad Bunny, the most streamed artist on the planet, has drawn major opposition from the Republican party for his criticism of President Donald Trump\u2019s administration, particularly its immigration policies, which have led to mass deportations and the widespread deployment of ICE (U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) in major U.S. cities, most notably Minnesota in recent months.<\/p>\n
See Paul\u2019s full statement below.<\/p>\n
Purposefully turning off the halftime show<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s rally together and show big corporations they can\u2019t just do whatever they want without consequences<\/p>\n
(which equals viewership for them)<\/p>\n
You are their benefit. Realize you have power.<\/p>\n
Turn off this halftime. A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.<\/p>\n
Paul\u2019s comments drew immediate backlash from social media, with replies questioning what Paul meant by \u201cfake American citizen\u201d and pointing out that the influencer-turned-boxer lives and fights out of Puerto Rico. Commenters also accused Paul of living outside of the U.S. to take advantage of Puerto Rico\u2019s tax legislation.<\/p>\n
Paul\u2019s brother, WWE Superstar Logan Paul, responded to Jake\u2019s comments, noting that they are not on the same page when it comes to the Super Bowl halftime show.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love my brother but I don\u2019t agree with this,\u201d Logan wrote. \u201cPuerto Ricans are Americans and I\u2019m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Paul brothers have previously publicly shown support for the Trump administration, with both attending the president\u2019s inauguration in January 2025.<\/p>\n
Another Paul associate to issue a response was boxing star Amanda Serrano, who hails from Puerto Rico and is contracted to Paul\u2019s Most Valuable Promotions brand. Serrano and Paul have worked closely over the past few years to boost the profile of women\u2019s boxing and spotlight Serrano, a multi-time world champion, but on the issue of Bad Bunny they are at odds.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am proud to be Puerto Rican, and I am proud to be an American citizen,\u201d Serrano wrote. \u201cPuerto Ricans are not \u2018fake Americans.\u2019 We are citizens who have contributed to this country in every field, from military service to sports, business, science, and the arts, and our identity and citizenship deserve respect.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would not have the opportunities I have today without the support and belief that Most Valuable Promotions and Jake Paul showed in me, and I will always be grateful for the role they have played in helping change my life and in elevating women\u2019s boxing. At the same time, I want to be clear: I do not agree with statements that question the legitimacy or identity of Puerto Rican people, and I cannot support that characterization. It is wrong.<\/p>\n
\u201cI fight with the pride of Puerto Rico and represent my flag every time I step into the ring. I will always stand with my people, with respect for who we are, and with pride in where we come from.\u201d<\/p>\n
Come Monday morning, Paul felt the need to clarify his comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem with my tweet is the word \u2018fake\u2019 being misinterpreted,\u201d Paul wrote. \u201cHe\u2019s not a fake citizen obviously because he\u2019s Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country. More so Bunny is fake because of his values and criticism of our great country.\u201d<\/p>\n
To clarify: I wasn\u2019t calling anyone a \u201cfake citizen\u201d because they\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n
But if you\u2019re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I\u2019m going to speak on it. Period. That\u2019s the same reason I called out Hunter Hess.<\/p>\n
If you benefit from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time, that\u2019s what I mean by being a fake citizen.<\/p>\n
And I agree love is more powerful than hate. Love America.<\/p>\n
Later, Paul issued another tweet with a more joking tone, seeming to suggest he had no idea what the controversy was about and that he is actually a fan of Bad Bunny.<\/p>\n
Guys i love bad bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night ?? wtf<\/p>\n