Claressa Shields addressed comments made by Jake Paul this week after his remarks about Bad Bunny circulated widely online. Paul, posting ahead of the Super Bowl LX halftime show, said he planned to “purposefully turn off” the performance and referred to the artist as a “fake American citizen.” The post drew swift reactions across social media. Claressa’s Shields response directly rejected both the language and the premise of the statement.
Writing on X, Shields urged Paul to reconsider his words. “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 part of America & a minority! Do better, Jake. This isn’t right.” Her Shields response was widely shared and drew support from other users.
When another commenter attempted to minimize the issue, Shields reiterated her position. “If they are fake citizens like he stated they are. And regardless, too much is going on in the USA today to be spreading hate,” she wrote. She did not continue the exchange beyond that point. By doing so, Shields highlighted her focus on the broader implications of the remarks.
From Halftime Show to Cultural Clash
Paul’s comments were part of a longer message urging viewers to boycott the halftime show. In the same post, he framed the issue as a stand against corporate influence. “You are their benefit. Realize you have power. Turn off this halftime. A fake American citizen performing who publicly hates America. I cannot support that,” he wrote. The Shields controversy intensified criticism from several corners.
Media figures also weighed in. The Kid Mero challenged Paul’s stance, questioning its sincerity and pointing to his recent boxing loss. He suggested the tone of the comments might have been different under other circumstances, referencing Paul’s defeat to Anthony Joshua. His remarks added to the Shields debate and growing pushback.
Bad Bunny has spoken publicly about identity and belonging in recent years. At the Grammy Awards, he addressed the subject directly, saying, “We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” This Shields exchange continues to circulate online and highlights how cultural moments can quickly spill into broader debates.
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