Tomi Lahren’s Puerto Rico Gaffe Sparks Backlash and Social Media Frenzy

NEW YORK, NY — Fox News host Tomi Lahren created a stir this week during an interview on her podcast, “Tomi Lahren is Fearless,” when she mistakenly claimed that Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny is not an American artist. The comments, made during a conversation with left-wing commentator Krystal Ball, were part of a broader discussion on Bad Bunny’s anticipated performance at the upcoming Super Bowl.

During the episode, Lahren, 33, responded to a question about Bad Bunny’s music by stating, “He’s Puerto Rican… That’s part of America, dear,” Ball pointedly replied, highlighting Lahren’s misunderstanding. The exchange quickly caught fire on social media, with many users mocking Lahren for her lack of knowledge regarding Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory.

Ball addressed Lahren’s follow-up query about Bad Bunny’s criticism of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), stating, “America agrees with him on that.” A recent poll revealed that ICE had a -9 favorability rating. The podcast clip circulated widely, drawing further commentary from media figures like CNN‘s Jake Tapper.

As the Super Bowl approaches, conservatives have expressed discontent over Bad Bunny’s performance, not only due to his Puerto Rican heritage but also because he primarily raps in Spanish. The 31-year-old, whose real name is Benito Martinez Ocasio, has openly criticized ICE, citing safety concerns for his fans. In one interview, he reflected on fears of ICE presence at his concerts.

The backlash against Bad Bunny’s performance intensified, with Trump administration officials, including Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, stating that ICE will be present at the Super Bowl. Despite this, performances by international artists are not uncommon at the event, with past acts including Rihanna and Shakira.

In a separate appearance on “Saturday Night Live,” Bad Bunny addressed the controversy directly, saying, “I’m very happy… Even Fox News are happy about it.” He later added in Spanish that the Super Bowl gig represents a collective achievement for the Latino community, emphasizing the contribution of Latinos and Latinas in America.