It seems that Jake Paul’s criticism of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX Halftime Show has made it to the halls of Congress.
On Monday, the latest high-profile figure to clap back at Paul’s attack was Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who took to X, slamming Paul for calling Bad Bunny a “fake American citizen.”
“Didn’t you MOVE to Puerto Rico to avoid paying your taxes while kids across America go hungry?” the Congresswoman, whose mother was born and raised on the island, asked. “Meanwhile Benito actually funds low income kids’ access to arts and sports programs, while you defund them.”
She added, “Of course you’re mad. He makes you look small.”
On Sunday, Paul called the Puerto Rican superstar a “fake American” citizen ahead of his halftime performance. Multiple celebrities subsequently blasted Paul for his comments, including his brother Logan Paul, who responded to Jake on X.
“I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” Logan wrote. “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.”
Boxer Claressa Shields also fired back at Paul.
“Please Jake, not today,” she wrote. “Puerto Ricans are not fake citizens. You would think that you of all people would support this as you have so many Puerto Rican women under your umbrella. What’s happening with ICE is terrible and we shouldn’t want to see harm done to anyone who is apart of America & a minority! Do better Jake. This isn’t right.”
As both Logan and Shields pointed out, Bad Bunny is a US Citizen, since the island is a US territory.
After the pushback, Jake retracted his statement early Monday morning.
“To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico. I live in Puerto Rico, and I love Puerto Rico. I have used my platform to support Puerto Rico time and time again and will always do so,” he wrote.
“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,” he wrote, adding. “If you benefit from a country and the platform it gives you, but publicly disrespect it at the same time, that’s what I mean by being a fake citizen.”
“And I agree love is more powerful than hate. Love America,” he concluded.
A few hours later, he returned to X, tweeting, “Guys i love bad bunny idk what happened on my twitter last night ?? wtf.”
Benito, as Paul noted, has been openly critical of ICE in recent months. In September, he discussed why he decided against touring in the continental US, telling i-D that ICE showing up outside his concerts was an “issue” that he and his team were “very concerned about.”
And last week, during his acceptance speech for album of the year at the Grammys, he said, “Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ICE out!”
“We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans,” he added. “The hate gets more powerful with more hate. The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”