Jake Paul clarifies remarks about Bad Bunny amid backlash
Jake Paul has clarified his controversial remarks about Bad Bunny following widespread criticism, insisting he was targeting the Puerto Rican singer’s stance on immigration enforcement rather than questioning his citizenship, reports BritPanorama.
The 29-year-old YouTuber and boxer faced significant backlash after labelling Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen” ahead of the Super Bowl halftime performance. In follow-up posts on X, Paul stated: “The problem with my tweet is the word fake being misinterpreted, he’s not a fake citizen obviously bc he’s Puerto Rican and I love Puerto Rico and all Americans who support the country.”
He added: “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.” Paul’s initial post had called on viewers to switch off during the halftime entertainment at the clash between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots.
“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, urging fans to recognize their power as audiences.
In a statement that prompted further discussion, Paul referred to Bad Bunny as “A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.” Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, delivered a politically charged performance that included displaying a sign reading: “The only thing more powerful than hate, is love.”
The public disagreement between the Paul brothers highlighted the divisive nature of Jake’s original comments, which many interpreted as questioning the legitimacy of Puerto Rican citizenship despite the territory’s residents holding full American citizenship since 1917. Logan Paul, Jake’s brother, publicly distanced himself from the remarks, stating, “I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” and emphasized, “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.”
Professional boxer Amanda Serrano, who competes under Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions banner, released an extensive statement addressing her promoter’s characterization of Puerto Ricans. “I am proud to be Puerto Rican, and I am proud to be an American citizen,” she asserted, openly expressing her disapproval of Jake’s words.
However, she made her position unambiguous: “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.” Serrano emphasized she would always represent her flag with pride, declaring herself “forever a Proud Boricua.”
This episode reflects the intersections of culture, identity, and political discourse within the sporting arena. In an age where social media amplifies voices, both supportive and critical, figures like Paul find themselves in the midst of public scrutiny, showcasing how celebrity status can ignite broader conversations about national identity and representation.
