Logan Paul stepped into the cultural crossfire on Super Bowl Sunday, publicly opposing his brother Jake Paul over criticism of Bad Bunny’s halftime show.
The clash unfolded on X, where Jake, the YouTuber-turned-boxer, urged fans to boycott the performance, calling the Puerto Rican star a “fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America.”
“I love my brother but I don’t agree with this,” Logan responded. “Puerto Ricans are Americans & I’m happy they were given the opportunity to showcase the talent that comes from the island.” The WWE star’s defense of Bad Bunny came after fans and public figures alike called out Jake for spreading misinformation about Puerto Rican citizenship.
The controversy began just hours before kickoff. Jake, 29, encouraged viewers to “purposefully turn off the halftime show” to punish the NFL for its choice of performer. “You are their benefit. Realize you have power. Turn off this halftime,” he wrote. “A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that.”
Jake, who lives in Dorado, Puerto Rico, later clarified that his criticism was not about Bad Bunny’s nationality. “To clarify: I wasn’t calling anyone a ‘fake citizen’ because they’re from Puerto Rico,” he wrote.
© Dax Tamargo/Shutterstock“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. 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… 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.”
Bad Bunny’s halftime show, which was his only U.S. concert appearance this year, was a visual celebration of Latin culture. Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin joined on stage, while Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Karol G, Cardi B, and more made cameo appearances, adding extra sparkle to the spectacle.
© WENN Rights LtdBad Bunny performed almost entirely in Spanish, punctuated with a rare English message. “God Bless America,” while highlighting his Puerto Rican roots.
While fans praised the show as a vibrant homage to Latin and Hispanic culture, conservatives, including former President Donald Trump, slammed the performance. Trump called it “one of the worst ever” and “an affront to the Greatness of America,” citing the Spanish-language set and suggestive dancing.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RocThe Paul brothers’ feud added another layer to the conversation. Jake’s previous critiques of Bad Bunny date back to 2022, when he called the artist “hypocritical” for criticizing Puerto Rican tax incentives while allegedly benefiting from them.
Fans were quick to highlight Jake’s own residency in Puerto Rico, living in a $16 million Dorado mansion, and frequently showcasing the Puerto Rican flag during sporting events. Social media users were unsparing, noting the contrast between Jake’s words and actions.
© Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for RocEven Logan’s support of Bad Bunny came with its own scrutiny. He attended the game with his wife, Nina Agdal, and reportedly expressed a lack of excitement for the halftime show when speaking to Fox News.
Beyond the politics and family drama, the halftime show stood out as a technically ambitious production. The conversation around the Super Bowl halftime show was about more than entertainment. It touched on national identity, immigration politics, and the ongoing visibility of Latin culture in mainstream America. For Logan Paul, it also became a moment to differentiate himself from his brother’s commentary publicly, reaffirming that talent from Puerto Rico belongs on the biggest stages.
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