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Super Bowl LX halftime show sparks pre-game controversy
This Sunday's Super Bowl halftime show, headlined by Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny, has become a flashpoint in America's culture wars before the performer even takes the stage. Critics have condemned the NFL's choice of the Grammy-winning artist, citing his vocal opposition to U.S. immigration policies and his advocacy for Puerto Rican self-determination.
Political backlash escalates
Republican lawmakers and conservative groups have sharply criticized Bad Bunny's selection, framing the halftime show as a partisan statement. Alabama Senator Tommy Tuberville labeled the event the "woke bowl," while former President Donald Trump called the decision "absolutely ridiculous." House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed the sentiment, calling it a "terrible decision."
In response, conservative organization Turning Point USA announced a competing halftime event, an "All American" counter-program featuring Trump ally Kid Rock. The rival broadcast aims to air simultaneously with Bad Bunny's performance, which is expected to draw over 100 million viewers in the U.S. alone.
Bad Bunny's history of activism
The 31-year-old artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has consistently used his platform to address social and political issues. At last week's Grammy Awards, where he won Album of the Year, Bad Bunny interrupted his acceptance speech to declare "ICE out," a reference to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. His remarks came amid scrutiny of ICE operations, including recent incidents where federal agents killed two American citizens during separate enforcement actions in Minneapolis.
"We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans."
Bad Bunny, Grammy Awards 2026
Bad Bunny's activism extends beyond immigration. He has publicly condemned the Trump administration's response to Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017, accusing officials of neglecting the island's recovery. The storm caused nearly 3,000 deaths and $90 billion in damage, while Puerto Ricans-U.S. citizens who lack voting representation in Congress-struggled to secure federal aid.
First all-Spanish halftime performance
Bad Bunny will make history as the first artist to perform the entire Super Bowl halftime show in Spanish. The set will also feature pop-punk band Green Day, but the spotlight remains on the Puerto Rican star. His presence reflects the NFL's recent efforts to engage Latino audiences, a demographic the league has actively courted through international games in London and Mexico.
Vanessa Díaz, a professor of Chicano and Latino studies at Loyola Marymount University, described Bad Bunny's performance as "profoundly political." She noted that his mere presence on the Super Bowl stage challenges traditional narratives of American identity, particularly those promoted by the Trump administration.
Fans and experts anticipate bold statement
Supporters and analysts alike expect Bad Bunny to use the platform to address immigration, Puerto Rican sovereignty, or LGBTQ+ rights-issues he has championed throughout his career. At a press conference on Thursday, the artist hinted at a unifying message, saying, "I know that the world is gonna be happy this Sunday, and they're gonna have fun, and they're gonna dance."
Eddie Miranda, a Puerto Rican DJ in Chicago, told the BBC that Bad Bunny's performance would resonate deeply with Latino communities. "Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and not a lot of people know that," Miranda said. "To have a piece of America that's been ignored for so long on the stage is just extraordinary."
Fans attending Bad Bunny's recent residency in Puerto Rico expressed hope that the halftime show would capture the energy of his world tour, which included a salmon-colored set piece called *La Casita*, designed to resemble a traditional Puerto Rican home. Victor Almeda, a Puerto Rican living in Orlando, urged the artist to stay true to his roots. "It's important to stick to his roots and represent Puerto Rico the most he can," Almeda said.
NFL defends decision amid criticism
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell defended Bad Bunny's selection, praising the artist's understanding of the platform's potential to unite audiences. "He understood the platform he was on, and that this platform is used to unite people," Goodell said. The league has increasingly featured politically charged halftime performances in recent years, including Beyoncé's 2016 tribute to the Black Panther Party and Jennifer Lopez and Shakira's 2020 set, which included imagery of children in cages-a reference to Trump-era immigration policies.
Albert Laguna, an associate professor of American Studies at Yale University, argued that the NFL needs Bad Bunny more than the artist needs the league. "Bad Bunny is offering another vision of what American-ness is," Laguna said, "a vision that is not in line with what Trump and the Trump administration is selling."
What to expect on Sunday
With tensions running high, Bad Bunny's halftime performance is poised to become one of the most politically charged in Super Bowl history. Whether he delivers an explicit message or relies on symbolism, experts agree the show will reflect his long-standing commitment to social justice. As Kimberly Contreras, a Latina fan from New York, put it: "He speaks up for what he thinks politically. He doesn't change who he is for anyone. If people are uncomfortable with that, that's on them."
