Jake Paul, Who Lives in Puerto Rico, Calls Bad Bunny a ‘Fake American’ in Halftime Show Rant

Influencer and boxer Jake Paul took to social media platform X this Sunday, urging a viewer boycott of the upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance by Puerto Rican global sensation Bad Bunny. Paul framed the proposed blackout as a stand against corporate influence, writing that collectively turning off the broadcast would demonstrate to "big corporations they can't just do whatever they want without consequences." He capped his post with a pointed personal attack on the artist, calling him "a fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America."

This public feud is deeply rooted in the complicated dynamics of Puerto Rican residency and tax policy. The conflict stems from 2021, when Jake Paul and his brother Logan, both major digital content creators, moved to the island. Logan Paul explicitly cited the financial incentives of Acts 20 and 22—laws designed to attract wealthy investors and entrepreneurs with significant tax breaks—as a key reason for relocation. This backdrop made Bad Bunny's 2022 documentary, "El Apagón – Aquí Vive Gente," which critically examines the gentrification and displacement often linked to those very tax programs, a direct point of contention. Logan Paul previously labeled the artist a hypocrite, alleging Bad Bunny privately benefits from the system he publicly critiques. This longstanding tension now fuels Jake's call for a halftime protest.

Paul's latest post is part of a broader pattern of targeting musicians over political views. Just days before his Super Bowl comments, he posted a series of statements criticizing public figures who denounce U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). He argued that those who "don't like ICE" should not call 911 in emergencies, adding, "If you don't respect law enforcement agents then you shouldn't depend on them." He specifically called out singer Billie Eilish, who condemned ICE during the 2026 Grammy Awards. Mockingly referring to her as "Billie Eyelash," Paul suggested her stance would change if she were a victim of crime. This tactic of engaging with celebrities on divisive issues ensures his commentary cuts across entertainment and political spheres, maximizing reach and engagement.

The strategy highlights how online influencers are increasingly commandeering major cultural moments to amplify personal and ideological battles. By targeting the Super Bowl halftime show—a televised event that consistently draws over 100 million viewers in the U.S. alone—Paul guarantees his message lands before a massive, captive audience. Media analysts note this blurs the line between genuine protest, personal grievance, and calculated content creation. As one digital culture expert observed, "These calls for boycotts are less about actionable activism and more about inserting oneself into the cultural conversation, leveraging the event's immense platform to drive traffic and reinforce a personal brand." The outcome is significant online engagement, regardless of the original motive.