President Trump blasts Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show as ‘absolutely terrible,’ rejecting the NFL’s push of anti-American activism on America’s biggest stage.
Story Highlights
- Trump calls Bad Bunny and Green Day’s lineup a “terrible choice” and skips the game entirely.
- Bad Bunny’s historic Spanish-language performance follows his Grammy “ICE out” rant against border enforcement.
- NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defends the selection as unifying, ignoring conservative concerns over politics.
- Artist’s history includes attacks on Trump over Hurricane Maria and advocacy for transgender causes in Puerto Rico.
Trump Rejects NFL’s Controversial Lineup
President Donald J. Trump criticized the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as headliner for Super Bowl LX halftime show. In a New York Post interview, Trump labeled the lineup including Bad Bunny and Green Day a “terrible choice.” He stated he is “anti-them” and confirmed he would not attend the February 2026 event.
This stance aligns with Trump’s commitment to America First values, pushing back against performers seen as promoting divisive agendas. Conservatives applaud the President’s forthright rejection of what many view as cultural overreach by the league.
Bad Bunny’s Activist Background Fuels Backlash
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, built his career on political activism rooted in Puerto Rican identity. His 2018 Tonight Show appearance called out Trump over Hurricane Maria response, amid reports of over 3,000 deaths and power outages. In 2019, he joined Puerto Rico protests.
By 2020, he wore a T-shirt advocating for a murdered transgender woman, stating “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.” These actions precede his recent Grammy “ICE out” declaration, sparking fears of immigration protests at the Super Bowl. Such history underscores conservative worries about politicized entertainment.
NFL Defends Amid Cultural Clashes
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell praised Bad Bunny as “one of the greatest artists” who “understands the platform to unite people.” The league highlighted the performance as the first predominantly Spanish-language halftime show, aiming for inclusivity.
Yet experts like Petra Rivera-Rideau from Wellesley College described it as layered resistance against U.S. colonialism for Spanish speakers. Mike Alfaro noted the mere presence carries political weight. Trump’s criticism highlights tensions between NFL’s diversity push and demands for neutral, unifying entertainment that respects traditional American audiences.
Goodell’s defense ignores Bad Bunny’s pattern of leveraging fame for left-leaning causes, including skipping U.S. tours over ICE fears. This risks alienating core NFL fans frustrated by woke messaging and illegal immigration advocacy during a time of secured borders under Trump.
Trump: Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Show Was 'Absolutely Terrible' https://t.co/4FcSmKRqWW
— Margaret Goodwin (@1974mgoodwin) February 9, 2026
Implications for American Culture and Entertainment
The Super Bowl halftime draws massive viewership, making performer selection a cultural flashpoint. Short-term, Trump’s rebuke sparks debate on injecting politics and non-English dominance into mainstream events.
Long-term, it normalizes Spanish-language headliners, potentially boosting Latino visibility but deepening divides. Arthur Brooks urged Americans to relax over the Spanish show. Conservatives see this as eroding shared national identity, favoring content that unites rather than amplifies anti-colonial or “ICE out” rhetoric amid Trump’s border victories.
Latino communities celebrate the milestone, yet Trump’s voice, representing millions opposing government overreach and fiscal mismanagement, echoes in cultural spheres. NFL’s choice prioritizes viewership from Bad Bunny’s fanbase over broad appeal, setting precedents for future non-English acts.
Sources:
CBS News: Bad Bunny Super Bowl Halftime Show Cultural Impact
