Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Show Sparks Outrage From Donald Trump

Santa Clara, California – Former U.S. President Donald Trump has sharply criticized Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LXI halftime show, calling it “absolutely terrible” and “a slap in the face to our country.” The performance, which took place on February 8, 2026, at Levi’s Stadium, featured a largely Spanish-language set and a celebration of Latin American culture, prompting a wave of conservative backlash.

Trump’s comments, made via his Truth Social platform, focused on the language of the performance. “Nobody understands a word this guy is saying,” he wrote, adding that the dancing was “disgusting, especially for young children.” He further characterized the show as “an affront to the greatness of America” and failing to represent “our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence.”

The criticism echoes similar sentiments expressed following the announcement of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl performer last year, with some conservative voices questioning the choice of an artist who primarily sings in Spanish. A petition circulated calling for the replacement of Bad Bunny with country music legend George Strait, garnering over 130,000 signatures.

Bad Bunny’s performance itself was a landmark moment, marking the first time the Super Bowl halftime show was predominantly performed in Spanish. The show featured a vibrant display of Puerto Rican culture, recreating a Puerto Rican village on the field and incorporating traditional music, and dance. Guest appearances included Lady Gaga, who performed a salsa rendition of her song “Die With A Smile,” and Puerto Rican artists Karol G and Ricky Martin, alongside Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Alix Earle, Pedro Pascal and Young Miko.

The performance culminated with Bad Bunny showcasing the flags of countries throughout the Americas, from Chile in the south to Canada in the north, ultimately highlighting his native Puerto Rico. He concluded the show by adapting the phrase “God Bless America” to encompass the entire continent, a gesture that appeared to emphasize unity and inclusivity.

While Trump and his supporters voiced their disapproval, the performance resonated with many, particularly within the Latin American community. Duane Welty Rivera, a Puerto Rican Seahawks fan who attended the Super Bowl, emphasized the importance of the show’s energy and message of unity. “We must focus on the fact that we are united,” he said.

This is not the first instance of Bad Bunny clashing with political figures. At the Grammy Awards on February 1, 2026, the artist used his acceptance speeches to criticize the Trump administration’s immigration policies, calling for an end to the activities of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “We’re not savage, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans,” he stated.

The backlash against Bad Bunny’s performance also highlights a broader cultural and political divide within the United States. Turning Point USA, an organization founded by Charlie Kirk, organized an alternative “All American Halftime Show” featuring country and rock artists, including Kid Rock, a long-time supporter of Trump. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt had previously indicated that President Trump “would much prefer a Kid Rock performance over Bad Bunny.”

The controversy surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show underscores the increasing visibility and influence of Latin American artists and culture in the United States, and the complex reactions this elicits from different segments of American society. Bad Bunny’s performance, while celebrated by many as a historic and empowering moment, has also become a focal point for political and cultural tensions, demonstrating the enduring power of music to provoke debate and challenge established norms.

The debate also comes as the Spanish language continues to gain prominence in the United States. A 2023 study found that almost 500 million people worldwide speak Spanish as their mother tongue, a figure that underscores the growing demographic and cultural significance of the language in the Americas and beyond.