Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance was historic before it even began. But tonight, he brought the house down in Santa Clara, California.
The Puerto Rican superstar led a celebration of Latino culture that marked the first time in the 60 year history of the N.F.L. championship game that its marquee entertainment unfolded largely in Spanish.
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Over 13 minutes, Bad Bunny delivered a kinetic set that blended global pop stardom with distinctly Puerto Rican and New York Latino imagery. He performed hits including “Nuevayol” and “Baile Inolvidable,” brought out Lady Gaga for a salsa inspired rendition of “Die With a Smile,” her hit with Bruno Mars, and welcomed Ricky Martin to the stage. The production centered on a stylized New York street scene, complete with a bodega displaying a glowing “We Accept EBT” sign, an unmistakable nod to immigrant and working class life.
The performance drew an immediate and furious response from President Donald Trump, who condemned the show in a lengthy statement posted online.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER!” Trump wrote. He described the performance as “an affront to the Greatness of America,” complained that “nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” and accused the N.F.L. of abandoning American standards of “Success, Creativity, or Excellence.” He also called the dancing “disgusting,” particularly for children, and closed by attacking the league’s kickoff rule before signing off with “MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”
The backlash was not unexpected. Bad Bunny’s appearance had become a political flashpoint months earlier, following the Trump administration’s renewed immigration crackdown. When the N.F.L. announced him as the halftime headliner last fall, conservative commentators and Republican officials criticized the choice, framing it as emblematic of cultural and political change they oppose.
The timing only intensified scrutiny. Bad Bunny recently won album of the year at the Grammy Awards for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” a critically acclaimed project that explores Puerto Rican identity while blending traditional rhythms with modern sounds. During the Grammys, he sparked conversation by saying “ICE out,” prompting speculation that his Super Bowl performance might include an overt political statement.
Instead, his message was quieter but no less pointed. After saying “God bless America,” Bad Bunny recited a list of countries across North and South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, and the United States. The gesture suggested a definition of “America” that extends beyond U.S. borders, one rooted in shared geography, migration, and culture.
Reactions spanned the political spectrum. Former N.F.L. star J.J. Watt offered a succinct appraisal: “Did I understand a single word of it? I did not. Was it a vibe? It was.”
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich, a Republican, praised the show outright, calling it “a celebration of wonderful Latino culture” and declaring that Bad Bunny “hit a grand slam home run.”
On the right, some sought an alternative. Turning Point USA streamed its own “All American” halftime show during the official broadcast at Levi’s Stadium in California. The production featured Kid Rock alongside country artists Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, and concluded with a tribute montage to conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The stream drew roughly 4.5 million views before ending as the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks resumed play. For perspective, that is less than the number of people in Texas who voted for Trump.
The cultural divide surrounding the halftime show echoed far beyond football. In a separate but related moment, two Team USA athletes spoke candidly about what it means to represent the United States amid political turmoil.
At a press conference on Friday, Feb. 6, freestyle skiers Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess acknowledged that wearing red, white, and blue carries complicated emotions in the current climate. Lillis, 27, said he loves the United States and would never want to represent another country, but described himself as “heartbroken” by recent immigration policies.
“A lot of times, athletes are hesitant to talk about political views and how we feel about things,” Lillis said. “I feel heartbroken about what’s happening in the United States. I think that as a country, we need to focus on respecting everybody’s rights and making sure that we’re treating people with love and respect.”
Taken together, Bad Bunny’s performance and the reactions it provoked underscored a broader truth. Cultural moments on the world’s biggest stages are no longer just entertainment. They are mirrors reflecting how Americans define their country, who belongs in it, and what the word “America” really means.
A historic night for America, and for Bad Bunny.