Trump Criticizes Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show
President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime show, calling it a “slap in the face” to the United States and describing it as “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER.” The criticism came via a post on Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, on Sunday, February 8, 2026.
Trump’s statement went on to say the performance “makes no sense” and is “an affront to the Greatness of America.” He also questioned the show’s appeal, stating, “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting, especially for young children that are watching from throughout the U.S.A., and all over the World.”
The halftime show, held at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on February 8, 2026, was a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican culture and Latin American heritage. Bad Bunny performed a collection of his hit songs primarily in Spanish, a language spoken by over 41 million people in the United States, according to official figures.
The performance culminated in a display of flags representing countries throughout the Americas, beginning with Chile in the south and progressing north to Canada, ultimately concluding with the flag of Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny’s birthplace.
Bad Bunny’s selection as the Super Bowl performer last year had already drawn criticism from conservative circles. The artist has been vocal on political issues, including immigration, and previously called for the removal of ICE agents during a speech at the Grammy Awards just a week prior to the Super Bowl performance. He stated, “We are not animals… we are humans and we are Americans.”
Despite the political undertones, Bad Bunny largely avoided direct criticism or accusations during the show itself. He created a visually engaging performance, recreating a Puerto Rican village on the field, complete with a beauty salon, ice cream vendor, and domino players. He was accompanied by a troupe of dancers and featured guest appearances from prominent figures in the Latin music scene, including actors Pedro Pascal and singer Karol G, as well as Cardi B.
A surprise moment came with the appearance of Lady Gaga, who delivered a salsa rendition of her hit song “Die With A Smile,” replacing Bruno Mars in a collaborative performance.
The show also included playful moments, such as Bad Bunny’s staged fall from the roof of a small building on the stage. He concluded the performance by altering the phrase “God Bless America” to “God Bless the Americas,” showcasing a procession of Latin American flags.
Some attendees, like Duane Welty Rivera, a Puerto Rican Seahawks fan who traveled to Santa Clara for the game, emphasized the unifying power of the performance. “We must focus on the fact that we are united,” he said, acknowledging Puerto Rico’s unique political status as a U.S. Territory.
Bad Bunny has a history of political engagement, having previously called for the resignation of the former governor of Puerto Rico, Ricardo Rosselló, in 2019 amid corruption allegations. His music often addresses issues such as tourism, immigration, racism, and gentrification, most recently in his concept album, Debi Tirar Mas Fotos.
Prior to the Super Bowl, several conservative figures had condemned the choice of Bad Bunny and the rock band Green Day as performers, with some calling it a “horrible choice.” A petition seeking to replace Bad Bunny with country singer George Strait garnered over 130,000 signatures.
The conservative organization Turning Point, founded by Charlie Kirk, organized a counter-programmed “All American Halftime Show” featuring country artists and rock musician Kid Rock.
