Fox News host Tomi Lahren mocked for not knowing key territory is part of US

Tomi Lahren sparked backlash on her podcast when she called Bad Bunny “not an American artist,” unaware Puerto Ricans are US citizens
PUBLISHED 2 HOURS AGO
Tomi Lahren faced social media backlash after her Puerto Rico comment during podcast (Getty Images)
Tomi Lahren faced social media backlash after her Puerto Rico comment during podcast (Getty Images)


 

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Fox News host Tomi Lahren faced backlash this week after revealing on her podcast that she did not know Puerto Ricans are American citizens. The misstep happened during an episode of 'Tomi Lahren is Fearless' on Tuesday, where she discussed Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime performance with left-wing commentator Krystal Ball.

Lahren, 33, who also hosts 'No Interruption' on Fox Nation, referred to the Puerto Rican superstar as “not an American artist,” prompting Ball to correct her: “He’s Puerto Rican… That’s part of America, dear.”

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 11: TV personality Tomi Lahren attend the premiere of the film
Tomi Lahren attended the premiere of No Safe Spaces at TCL Chinese Theatre in 2019 (Michael Tullberg/Getty Images)

Tomi Lahren mocked after 'Puerto Rico' comment

The exchange quickly went viral on social media, with users ridiculing Lahren for her lack of basic geographical and political knowledge.

“haven't seen Tomi Lahren in ages but she's still dumb as hell,” one user wrote on X, while another added, “The US has been highjacked by the illiterate.”



 



 

Another wrote, "if only more ppl had passed 8th grade geography…"



 

"Tomi Lahren on the importance of an education," one wrote.



 

"Sociology and sorority degrees put to good use," a user wrote.



 

CNN’s Jake Tapper and political strategist Maria Cardona also weighed in. “She needs to crack a book,” Cardona quipped during a segment on Friday.

During the podcast, Lahren’s expression reportedly faltered when corrected by Ball, but she quickly pivoted, asking whether Ball supported Bad Bunny’s “anti-ICE sentiments.” Ball replied, “America agrees with him on that.” A Pew Research poll from August found Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) held a -9 favorability rating among Americans.

Conservatives intensify criticism of Bad Bunny

Lahren’s misstep comes as conservatives renew criticism of Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show performance. Critics have targeted the 31-year-old artist, born Benito Martínez Ocasio, for primarily rapping in Spanish and previously avoiding touring in the US due to safety concerns.

Bad Bunny attends the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit at Cleveland Public Auditorium on October 09, 2023 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images)
Bad Bunny performed at the 2023 Forbes 30 Under 30 Summit in Cleveland, Ohio (Taylor Hill/Getty Images)

“There was the issue of—like, f---ing ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” Bad Bunny said in a past interview.

Bad Bunny is a famous Puerto Rican rapper (@tourbadbunny/Twitter)
Bad Bunny became a global sensation as a Puerto Rican rapper (@tourbadbunny/X)

Though Bad Bunny is an American citizen, some in President Donald Trump’s orbit threatened ICE action at the Super Bowl. DHS adviser Corey Lewandowski and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem claimed officers would be “ready to snatch up attendees.”

MORE STORIES

Maher ridiculed 'The View' hosts for waiting five days to defend Kimmel after ABC suspended him over remarks about Charlie Kirk’s alleged killer
7 hours ago
Meghan Markle completed the minimalist ensemble with black pointed-toe heels, a simple black clutch and diamond stud earrings
7 hours ago
Sean 'Diddy' Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison for Mann Act violations, with his attorneys claiming the judge overstepped the jury’s verdict
1 day ago
Blake Lively’s absence from the LA premiere of Ryan Reynolds' new project, 'John Candy: I Like Me', has fueled speculation of growing marriage issues
1 day ago
50 Cent wasted no time trolling Diddy after his sentencing, offering to take over his Miami speaking gigs
1 day ago
Barack and Michelle Obama, who met at a Chicago law firm in the early 1990s, tied the knot in 1992 after getting engaged in 1991
1 day ago
Aubrey O’Day expressed her support for Cassie Ventura, saying her 'heart goes out' to her and praising her 'extraordinary bravery' in coming forward
1 day ago
Diddy addressed the court during a 12-minute statement, and said in a shaking voice, 'I beg your honor for mercy'
1 day ago
Amal Clooney dazzled in a brown Atelier Versace gown at the Albie Awards in London, where she and George Clooney honored human rights defenders
1 day ago
Portia de Rossi reportedly felt suffocated in her marriage to Ellen DeGeneres and asked for space to regain independence
2 days ago