This year’s Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Bad Bunny, was expected to be a major event. What few anticipated was that it would also become a debate over who is considered “American” and who is told they are not.
Fans Label Jake Paul a ‘Loser’ for Calling Bad Bunny a ‘Fake American’
Bad Bunny will have millions watching, cheering, and dancing in their living rooms, bars, and group chats. Others, however, plan to use halftime as a moment of protest — not against the NFL, capitalism, or even the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks revisiting unfinished business, but against Bad Bunny himself. One comes from Jake Paul, who urged his supporters to turn off the television when Bad Bunny appears on screen.
“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). You are their benefit. Realize you have power. Turn off this halftime. A fake American,” he wrote.
Bad Bunny, born and raised in Puerto Rico, is an American citizen. Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, a fact that should be clear until someone denies it. For many NFL fans, Paul’s comment was revealing.
Criticism intensified because Paul himself owns a house in Puerto Rico, a decision some link to the island’s tax incentives rather than cultural loyalty.
Ohio State Buckeyes alum Robert Littal pointed out the irony neatly:
“Jake Paul moved to Puerto Rico. Reps Puerto Rico in his boxing matches when he’s from Ohio. Makes millions of dollars from foreign fighters he promotes but Bad Bunny is where he draws the line.”
Jake Paul moved to Puerto Rico. Reps Puerto Rico in his boxing matches when he’s from Ohio. Makes millions of dollars from foreign fighters he promotes but Bad Bunny is where he draws the line. https://t.co/J2YikRwUcc pic.twitter.com/iyNi1kpHFN
— Robert Littal BSO (@BSO) February 8, 2026
PFWA member Jason Aponte was more direct, ending a post with: “Loser who lives in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico.”
Signed,
Loser who lives in the commonwealth of Puerto Rico. https://t.co/bd3LoXh7SK
— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) February 8, 2026
Internet personality Kristopher London added, “Turning off the halftime show but couldn’t turn down the tax incentives 🫡🇺🇸”
Turning off the halftime show but couldn’t turn down the tax incentives 🫡🇺🇸 https://t.co/8Vo1j62oOE
— Kristopher London (@IamKrisLondon) February 8, 2026
YouTuber JerryRigEverything wrote, “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.”
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. https://t.co/wXyab9hlWR
— JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) February 8, 2026
YouTuber Adam Mockler said, “You own a house in Puerto Rico and fly it’s flag when it’s convenient. Rather than saying ‘fake American’, just say what you really mean.”
You own a house in Puerto Rico and fly it’s flag when it’s convenient.
Rather than saying “fake American”, just say what you really mean. https://t.co/CsaR1gboQC pic.twitter.com/Uuc8rUrQvs
— Adam Mockler (@adammocklerr) February 8, 2026
All of this followed the announcement in September that Bad Bunny would headline the halftime show. Senior vice president Jon Barker emphasized that the choice was based on timing, reach, and relevance, not politics.
With nearly 20 billion Spotify streams and a global fan base spanning generations and borders, Bad Bunny has built a career on refusing to diminish himself to fit someone else’s definition of belonging.
