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Global Latin Music Star Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance Sparks Political Controversy
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, set to perform at this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, has become the center of a political firestorm as conservative commentators and politicians attempt to generate backlash against the artist over his criticism of immigration policies.
The Grammy-winning musician, who made history recently as the first artist to win Best Album for a record sung entirely in Spanish, has faced a series of misleading claims from right-wing figures in the lead-up to his performance at one of America’s most-watched events.
Conservative commentator Tomi Lahren falsely claimed on her show last September that Bad Bunny is “not an American artist.” In reality, Bad Bunny was born in Puerto Rico, making him a U.S. citizen by birth. When confronted with this fact, Lahren pivoted to claim the artist is “un-American” due to his criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and his reluctance to tour in the United States, which the artist has attributed to concerns over ICE agents targeting his fans outside concerts.
House Speaker Mike Johnson also criticized the NFL’s choice, telling immigration newsletter “Migrant Insider” that Bad Bunny “is not someone who appeals to a broader audience.” Johnson suggested country singer Lee Greenwood, known for “God Bless the USA” (a song frequently played at Trump rallies), would be a more appropriate “role model” for the “impressionable children” watching.
Johnson’s assessment of Bad Bunny’s popularity appears severely disconnected from reality. The Latin trap and reggaeton artist was Spotify’s top global artist from 2020-2022 and again in 2025, amassing approximately 19.8 billion streams on the platform last year alone.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell publicly defended the selection following Bad Bunny’s Grammy win. “It’s one of the reasons we chose him,” Goodell stated last Monday. “The other reason is he understood the platform he was on. This platform is used to unite people.”
Former President Trump has also weighed in, telling the New York Post last month that he would skip the Super Bowl partly due to Bad Bunny’s participation, claiming the artist “sows hatred.” Trump’s characterization appears to reference Bad Bunny’s criticism of the former administration’s immigration policies.
However, Bad Bunny’s message has often emphasized unity rather than division. During his Grammy acceptance speech, the artist stated, “If we fight, we have to do it with love. We don’t hate them. We love our people. We love our family.”
The controversy has intensified following statements from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Trump advisor Corey Lewandowski, who suggested ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl. “There is nowhere that you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally,” Lewandowski said. “Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else.”
The NFL has firmly pushed back against these claims. “There are no planned ICE enforcement activities. We are confident of that,” the league’s chief security officer stated at a security briefing on Tuesday. As of Sunday afternoon, no ICE presence had been reported at the stadium.
In response to Bad Bunny’s scheduled performance, conservative group Turning Point USA, founded by the late Charlie Kirk, has organized an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” featuring Kid Rock. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump would “much prefer to watch” Kid Rock over Bad Bunny.
This attempted counter-programming has struggled to gain traction. Multiple performers have withdrawn from Kid Rock’s event, including rock band Shinedown, which announced on Friday it would not participate as doing so would “create further division.”
Public opinion appears to align more closely with Bad Bunny’s stance than his critics might suggest. Recent polling indicates that 65 percent of Americans believe ICE has “gone too far” in its enforcement of immigration laws, according to surveys conducted last month by Marist Poll.
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12 Comments
The backlash against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is disappointing but not surprising given the polarized political climate. As an artist, he has the right to express his views, even if they are controversial. The NFL should not cave to political pressure and allow him to showcase his talent.
Agreed. The Super Bowl halftime show is about celebrating music and culture, not waging political battles. Bad Bunny is a globally renowned artist, and the NFL should honor that by letting his performance speak for itself rather than getting drawn into partisan disputes.
This controversy over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance highlights the politicization of popular culture. While some may disagree with his views, he has a right to express them as an artist. The NFL should focus on showcasing his musical talent, not bowing to political pressure from critics.
Well said. The Super Bowl halftime show should be an opportunity to appreciate diverse artistic talent, not a platform for partisan political debates. Fans want to be entertained, not caught up in culture wars. The NFL should stand firm in letting Bad Bunny’s performance shine.
This controversy over Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance reflects the politicization of cultural events. While some may disagree with his views, he has a right to voice them as an artist. The NFL should focus on showcasing talent, not bowing to political pressure.
Well said. The Super Bowl halftime show should be about celebrating music and entertainment, not political theater. Fans just want to enjoy the performance, not get caught up in culture war debates.
It’s concerning to see right-wing figures try to stifle Bad Bunny’s artistic expression over his political views. As a Puerto Rican artist, he has unique perspectives to share. The Super Bowl is an opportunity to showcase diverse talent, not censor dissenting voices.
Absolutely. The NFL should stand up for artistic freedom and let Bad Bunny’s performance speak for itself, rather than cave to political pressure. Fans will appreciate seeing such a talented global artist represented on the big stage.
While I may not agree with all of Bad Bunny’s political views, I respect his right to express them through his art. The Super Bowl halftime show is a chance to highlight diverse musical talent, not get bogged down in partisan debates. I’m curious to see how his performance is received.
Well said. The Super Bowl is meant to be a unifying event that brings people together through entertainment, not a platform for divisive political rhetoric. Bad Bunny’s talent should be the focus, not his ideological differences with critics.
Interesting to see the political backlash against Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance. Artists shouldn’t be silenced for criticizing government policies, even if it’s controversial. I’m curious to see how his message and performance are received.
I agree, freedom of expression is important even for high-profile artists. It will be telling to see how the public responds to Bad Bunny’s message and performance at the Super Bowl.