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

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.”

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.

“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.

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.”