Netflix Sparks Backlash After Using Puerto Rican Flag for Jake Paul
Credit: Esther Lin/Netflix
Netflix is facing backlash online after promoting the upcoming Jake Paul vs. Anthony Joshua fight on December 19th using a Puerto Rican flag to represent Paul, even though he is not Puerto Rican.
The graphic, which was released as part of the fight’s promotion, used national flags for each boxer. While Joshua was assigned the British flag, Paul was represented by both the U.S. and Puerto Rico flags, a move that immediately drew criticism across social media. Within minutes of the announcement circulating online, Puerto Ricans began calling out the error and questioning why Paul was being labeled as Puerto Rican.
Online reactions to the Netflix promo reflected frustration and exhaustion with what many critics see as recurring misrepresentation. Users called the flag choice “offensive”, “disgraceful” and “he does nothing but benefit from us and does nothing for Puerto Rico in return.”
This all comes after Paul has taken on the moniker “El Gallo de Dorado.” He has appeared in the ring wearing boxing trunks with the Puerto Rico flag and red feathers. And during fights he’s said that he’s “repping Puerto Rico” even though he isn’t from Puerto Rico.
Paul, who is originally from Ohio, moved to the island with his brother Logan in recent years to take advantage of the tax incentives that are available solely to wealthy transplants, not because of any ancestral or cultural connections to the island. The Paul brothers move to the island was enabled by Act 22, which offers a total exemption from Puerto Rico income taxes to foreign born, high-net worth individuals.
Act 22 and high profile relocations to the island like the one made by the Paul brothers has long been controversial among Puerto Rican residents who have voiced concerns about displacement, rising housing costs and the broader pattern of influencers and tech investors using the island as a tax haven.
The promotional poster has also revived conversations surrounding the Paul brothers’ time on the island, including pushback from locals who have accused the brothers of treating Puerto Rico like a backdrop, and not an island with a rich culture and history of its own.
As of now, Netflix has neither commented nor corrected the error as fans and critics alike wait to see if the streamer updates the promotional materials ahead of the fight.