Jake Paul Faces Backlash Over Boycott Call on Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show: 'A Fake American Citizen Performing'

Professional boxer and media personality Jake Paul has ignited controversy after calling for a boycott of Puerto Rican rapper and Grammy award-winner Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show. In a post on X, Paul branded him a 'fake American citizen' who 'hates America,' urging fans to switch off the broadcast.

What began as a call for protest has turned into a firestorm of criticism. Many pointed out the irony of Paul's remarks, given that he has lived in Puerto Rico for several years and that the biggest fighter under his promotional company, seven-division world champion Amanda Serrano, is Puerto Rican. Here's how the backlash unfolded.

'Turn Off The Halftime Show': Jake Paul's Boycott Call

Just hours before Bad Bunny took the stage for the Super Bowl halftime show, Paul told his followers that he is 'purposefully turning off the halftime show.' He urged fans to 'rally together and show big corporations they can't just do whatever they want without consequences.'

Paul added, 'You are their benefit. Realize you have power.' He then urged the people to 'turn off this halftime' show and called Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, 'a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. He concluded: 'I cannot support that.'

Meanwhile, Logan Paul, Jake's brother, publicly disagreed, saying: 'I love my brother but I don't agree with this. Puerto Ricans are Americans & I'm happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.'

Jake Paul Faces Online Backlash

Paul's posts quickly went viral, attracting millions of views on the platform and tens of thousands of comments. What was supposed to be an act of protest has triggered a firestorm of backlash for Jake. Critics highlighted the irony in his stance, noting that he has lived in Dorado, Puerto Rico since 2021 under Act 60 tax incentives.

One commented on his post: 'You LIVE IN PUERTO RICO near Hangar Park inside Dorado Beach for Act 60 and you're complaining that a "fake American citizen" is performing???????? Nah Dorado Beach should kick you out and Puerto Rico should revoke your Act 60 privileges.'

They added, 'This is bullsh*t. I can't believe you're saying this. You literally profit and save money on taxes from living in Puerto Rico and you're complaining that a Puerto Rican is performing for the Super Bowl??? From someone who lived in Dorado Beach for 3+ years. This is idiotic.'

It was echoed by another, 'Jake Paul calls Bad Bunny a "fake American" for being born in Puerto Rico. Jake Paul currently lives in Puerto Rico to avoid paying American Taxes. You cant make this up.'

Another alluded to Paul avoiding paying taxes, saying, 'Jake Paul calling a native Puerto Rican a "fake American" while he hides in Dorado to dodge the IRS is the peak of influencer delusion. He's been there for 5 years and still doesn't realize Puerto Ricans ARE American citizens. The jokes write themselves.'

Another said: 'Calling Puerto Ricans "fake Americans" is discriminatory nonsense—they've been U.S. citizens since 1917, so if you need a civics lesson to understand that geography and language don't determine who's "really" American, that says more about your ignorance than their authenticity.'

Paul Brothers' Puerto Rico Move

In 2021, Logan and Jake Paul officially relocated from California to Dorado, Puerto Rico, citing Act 60 tax incentives as the main reason. The programme allows residents to pay 0% tax on capital and just 4% corporate tax on export services, provided they meet strict residency requirements.

Jake Paul purchased a sprawling £12.6 million ($16 million) mansion, formerly owned by MLB star Yadier Molina. Under Act 60, the brothers must spend at least 183 days a year on the island, purchase a primary residence within two years, and donate £7,900 ($10,000) annually to local non-profits.

However, foreign presence remains a major point of local debate, as critics argue that Act 60 encourages a form of 'modern-day colonisation' by offering outsiders tax breaks that are generally unavailable to native Puerto Ricans.