On September 29, 2025, the NFL announced that Bad Bunny, one of the world’s most-streamed artists, will perform as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California (Reuters).
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Martínez Ocasio, is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer known for hits such as Tití Me Preguntó and Moscow Mule. He is the first artist who performs primarily in Spanish to headline the Super Bowl halftime show solo (Contributors).
Following the announcement, his U.S. music streams saw a significant spike, reportedly increasing by 26% in just a few days (Fox Sports).
Political and Public Reactions
The announcement sparked mixed reactions, including strong criticism from some conservative political figures and commentators. President Donald Trump criticized the NFL’s decision in a post on his social media platform Truth Social, calling the choice of Bad Bunny “crazy” and “absolutely ridiculous.” He also claimed he did not know who Bad Bunny was (Mayberry).
On the other hand, many public figures and fans view the moment as a recognition of the influence of Latin music and culture, which have become increasingly visible in global entertainment. They argue that music, regardless of language, can connect with audiences across cultural lines (Avila).
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Oct. 4 that ICE agents will be at the game. “We’ll be all over that place. We are going to enforce the law. So I think people should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country,” she said (Avila).
Bad Bunny’s Appearance on SNL
While not directly responding to the backlash, Bad Bunny commented on his selection during an appearance on Saturday Night Live in October 2025. Bad Bunny then stated in Spanish, “Our footprints and contributions in this country…no one will be able to take it away or erase it.” He then added, “And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” referencing his upcoming performance at the halftime show (Contreras).
Citations
FOX Sports. Bad Bunny’s music streams soar since 2026 Super Bowl halftime show news. (2025, October 8).
Contributors to Wikimedia projects. (2025, October 10). Super Bowl LX halftime show. Wikipedia.
Reuters. (2025, September 29). Bad Bunny to perform Super Bowl LX halftime show. Reuters.
Mayberry, D. (2025, October 7). Donald Trump calls Bad Bunny ‘absolutely ridiculous’ choice for Super Bowl halftime show. The Athletic.
Avila, D. (2025, October 9). Jennifer Lopez asks critics to give bad bunnies a “chance” amid super bowl performance backlash: “Art transcends language.” PEOPLE.
Contreras, R. (2025, October 5). Bad Bunny responds to Super Bowl critics, urges them to learn Spanish. Axios.
