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In a wave of misinformation following the NFL’s announcement that Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny will headline the Super Bowl LX halftime show in February 2026, numerous false claims have circulated on social media platforms, despite the artist’s clear confirmation that he will indeed perform.
The initial announcement sparked criticism from conservative commentators and MAGA influencers who took issue with Bad Bunny’s past criticisms of the Trump administration’s immigration policies and his Spanish-language music catalog. However, this backlash quickly evolved into an ecosystem of fabricated stories claiming the performance had been canceled or was in jeopardy.
Among the most egregious falsehoods is a claim shared by a Philippines-based Facebook account with one million followers suggesting that Bad Bunny had withdrawn from the performance. The post falsely attributed a quote to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt stating, “It was the only choice — otherwise, deportation would have been on the table.” Official transcripts from Leavitt’s briefings contain no such statement. When actually asked about the performance, Leavitt simply declined to speak on the president’s behalf.
The deportation claim is particularly misleading as Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is an American citizen from Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, making deportation legally impossible.
Another fabrication gaining traction claims that Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey threatened to pull a “$100 million sponsorship” if Bad Bunny performed. This assertion is demonstrably false on multiple levels: there is no record of such a statement from Quincey in media reports or company communications, and Coca-Cola isn’t even an official NFL sponsor.
This fictitious Coca-Cola ultimatum then spawned additional false narratives involving celebrities supposedly criticizing Bad Bunny’s selection. Nearly identical posts appeared across platforms, merely swapping out celebrity names while maintaining the same text structure. These posts falsely claimed figures including Kelly Osbourne, Adam Sandler, Steven Tyler, Christian singer Brandon Lake, and Jon Bon Jovi had made identical statements opposing the rapper’s performance.
The template for these fabricated quotes typically followed a format where the celebrity allegedly stated: “If Bad Bunny gets on stage, I’m going to stay home, turn on the TV, open a Coke, and laugh at that half-assed show. I’m not paying to see a guy in a dress perform.”
Bad Bunny himself directly addressed the misinformation while hosting “Saturday Night Live” last weekend, stating unequivocally, “You may not know this, but I’m doing the Super Bowl halftime show, and I’m very happy.” During the same appearance, he cleverly responded to the controversy by featuring a video that edited together clips of Fox News hosts to create a message saying, “Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president.”
The NFL halftime show represents one of music’s most prestigious platforms, with performances reaching a global audience of over 100 million viewers. For Bad Bunny, who has broken numerous streaming records and helped bring Latin music into the global mainstream, the selection acknowledges his cultural impact and commercial success.
The NFL and Bad Bunny’s management team have not officially responded to requests for comment regarding the spread of misinformation surrounding the performance announcement.
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20 Comments
The controversy around Bad Bunny’s participation is an interesting example of the intersection between sports, music, and politics. I hope people will approach the discussion with an open mind.
Interesting to see the controversy around Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance. It’s a shame to see the spread of misinformation, but I’m glad the artist’s participation has been confirmed.
I agree, it’s important to rely on official sources and fact-check claims, especially around high-profile events like this.
It’s important to rely on official sources and fact-check claims, especially around high-profile events like this. The spread of misinformation is concerning.
Absolutely. Fact-checking and verifying information should be a priority, especially when it comes to sensitive topics or influential figures.
I’m looking forward to seeing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Regardless of one’s political leanings, the artist is undoubtedly talented and influential.
Agreed. The Super Bowl halftime show is a major cultural event, and it will be interesting to see how Bad Bunny’s performance is received.
While some may disagree with Bad Bunny’s political views, I think it’s valuable for artists to use their platforms to express themselves, even if it’s controversial.
I agree. Healthy dialogue and the exchange of different perspectives is essential for a democratic society.
I’m looking forward to seeing Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance. Regardless of one’s political views, the artist is undoubtedly talented and influential.
Agreed. The Super Bowl halftime show is a major cultural event, and I’m curious to see how Bad Bunny’s performance will be received.
The spread of misinformation around this event is concerning. It’s important for people to fact-check claims and rely on official sources, especially for high-profile news.
The Super Bowl halftime show is always a highly anticipated cultural moment. I’m curious to see how Bad Bunny’s performance will be received and what discussions it may spark.
It’s disappointing to see the spread of false information around this event. I hope people will take the time to verify claims before sharing them online.
It’s disappointing to see the spread of misinformation around this event. I hope people will take the time to fact-check claims before sharing them online.
Absolutely. Verifying information, especially related to high-profile events, is so important these days.
While some may disagree with Bad Bunny’s political views, I think it’s valuable for artists to use their platforms to express themselves, even if it’s controversial.
The music industry and sports are often platforms for political and cultural expression. While some may disagree, I think it’s valuable for artists to share their perspectives, even if they’re controversial.
Absolutely. Diversity of voices and open dialogue, even on sensitive topics, is crucial for a healthy society.
Regardless of one’s political leanings, Bad Bunny is an incredibly talented performer. I’m looking forward to seeing his Super Bowl halftime show and the cultural impact it may have.