AOC was fuming over this.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez erupted on social media this week after outspoken Trump ally and professional boxer Jake Paul announced he would boycott the Super Bowl LX halftime show, igniting a heated political and cultural clash tied to immigration enforcement and patriotism.
Paul drew national attention after criticizing halftime performer Bad Bunny, accusing the global music star of attacking American law enforcement while still benefiting from the United States. The comments quickly spread online and triggered a sharp response from Ocasio-Cortez, who rushed to Bad Bunny’s defense.
The dispute unfolded during a Super Bowl that saw the Seattle Seahawks defeat the New England Patriots 29–13, a game already drawing massive viewership and advertising interest across the country.
Ocasio-Cortez, a vocal progressive Democrat from New York, took to X to accuse Paul of hypocrisy, pointing to his decision to live in Puerto Rico while questioning Bad Bunny’s loyalty to the United States. She argued that the singer supports youth arts and sports programs, contrasting that with what she described as conservative opposition to government-funded initiatives.
Paul responded with a detailed clarification, stressing that his criticism had nothing to do with Puerto Rico or ethnicity. Instead, he said his remarks were focused squarely on public attacks against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), an agency tasked with enforcing federal immigration law.
“I wasn’t criticizing anyone for where they’re from,” Paul wrote. “I live in Puerto Rico and support Puerto Rico. But if someone openly attacks ICE while benefiting from America’s freedoms and platform, I’m going to speak out.”
Paul emphasized that ICE officers are carrying out the law as written and should not be vilified by celebrities or politicians seeking applause. He added that profiting from American success while publicly condemning the country sends a troubling message.
The controversy comes just weeks after Bad Bunny used his Grammy Awards acceptance speech to denounce ICE enforcement, declaring, “ICE out,” and claiming migrants are Americans. The statement drew praise from progressive activists and backlash from conservatives who argue that immigration laws exist for a reason and must be enforced.
The exchange underscores a growing divide between progressive lawmakers, celebrity activists, and conservative voices aligned with President Trump, as immigration, law enforcement, and national identity increasingly collide with sports and pop culture.
With the Super Bowl serving as one of the most watched events in American television, the political fallout shows no sign of slowing—and neither does the debate over patriotism, borders, and who gets to define what it means to be American.
