AOC Responds to Jake Paul’s Criticism of Bad Bunny’s American Citizenship After Super Bowl Halftime Show

Ocasio-Cortez Responds to Jake Paul’s Remarks on Bad Bunny

In a recent exchange highlighting tensions surrounding the Super Bowl Halftime Show, Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has firmly countered Jake Paul’s controversial remark that Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny is “not a real American citizen.” Paul made his comments on social media following Bad Bunny’s halftime performance on February 8.

The morning after the Super Bowl, Ocasio-Cortez addressed Paul’s incendiary statement on X, where Paul claimed he would "purposefully" turn off the halftime programming, labeling the artist a “fake American citizen” who "publicly hates America." Ocasio-Cortez responded, questioning, “a ‘fake American citizen?’”

Continuing her critique, she stated, “Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry? Meanwhile, Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them.” She concluded with a pointed remark: “Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”

Billboard has since sought comments from Paul regarding Ocasio-Cortez’s rebuttal.

Paul was among several conservative figures who expressed disappointment over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl appearance. Former President Donald Trump described the performance as a “slap in the face” to America, and Turning Point USA coordinated an alternate concert, dubbed an “All-American” event, during the halftime show. Despite claims labeling Bad Bunny as un-American, he is a legal U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, which remains an unincorporated territory of the United States.

Following backlash, including a rebuke from his brother Logan Paul, Jake Paul clarified his statements. “To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico,” he wrote on Monday. “I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico … But if you’re publicly criticizing ICE who are doing their job and openly hating on America, I’m going to speak on it.”

Shortly after, he expressed confusion about his previous comments, tweeting, “Guys I love Bad Bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night ?? wtf.”

It remains uncertain why Paul and other conservatives perceive Bad Bunny as openly disdainful towards America. The artist has consistently embraced his heritage, culminating in a performance that celebrated his Puerto Rican roots and concluded with a message of unity: “Together we are America.”

While Bad Bunny has voiced criticism of ICE, he has done so sparingly. In a September interview, he stated that the lack of scheduled U.S. tour dates was due to various concerns, and emphasized that “none of them were out of hate.”

He further elaborated, “There was the issue of, like, f–king ICE could be outside [my concert],” stressing the importance of safety and sensitivity in planning.

Just a week before the Super Bowl, during his acceptance speech for Best Música Urbana Album for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, Bad Bunny made headlines by declaring “ICE out!” This declaration was part of a broader message about humanity and identity, as he asserted, “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans. The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”