Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar, has never been one to shy away from controversy, but his latest appearance on Saturday Night Live (SNL) may be his boldest yet. On October 5, 2025, the reggaeton sensation used his SNL hosting debut to directly address and mock the growing backlash over his upcoming 2026 Super Bowl LX halftime show—a performance he’s promised will be delivered entirely in Spanish. With the Super Bowl just four months away, Bad Bunny’s unapologetic stance has reignited debates about language, culture, and identity in America.
As soon as Bad Bunny took the SNL stage for the season 51 premiere, he made it clear he wasn’t going to tiptoe around the controversy. "I think everyone is very happy about it—even Fox News," he quipped, grinning as SNL rolled a parody montage of Fox News anchors, their words hilariously spliced to say: "Bad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president." According to USA TODAY, this tongue-in-cheek jab came after a week of heated commentary from conservative media and political figures who criticized the NFL’s decision to feature Bad Bunny as the halftime headliner, largely because of his plan to perform exclusively in Spanish.
But it wasn’t just jokes. In a move that felt both defiant and deeply personal, Bad Bunny switched to Spanish mid-monologue, speaking directly to Latinx viewers. "All Latinos and Latinas around the world and here in the United States, all the people who have worked to open doors—more than just my achievement, it’s everyone’s achievement, proving that no one can ever erase our mark and our contribution to this country," he said, as reported by USA TODAY. He then turned back to English, challenging those who didn’t understand: "If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn." The crowd roared, and social media lit up with praise from supporters who saw the moment as a celebration of Latino pride and resilience.
The backlash, however, has been intense. Conservative commentators, including former Trump adviser Corey Lewandowski, have warned that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would be present at the Super Bowl. "There is nowhere you can provide safe haven" to undocumented immigrants, Lewandowski told podcaster Benny Johnson, who himself labeled Bad Bunny as "anti-ICE" and "a massive Trump hater." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also weighed in, telling Fox News that ICE would be at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, and criticizing the NFL for its choice of performer. "People should not be coming to the Super Bowl unless they’re law-abiding Americans who love this country," Noem asserted, even as no official confirmation of ICE’s involvement has been given.
According to New York Magazine, Bad Bunny’s concerns about ICE are not new. He previously explained his reluctance to tour the U.S., citing fears that his fans might encounter immigration enforcement at his shows. "But there was the issue of—like, ICE could be outside [my show]," he explained in an interview, describing the anxiety that surrounds such events for many in the Latinx community. Instead, Bad Bunny recently completed a 31-show residency in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory, bringing hundreds of millions of dollars to the island’s economy. His January 2025 album, "DeBÍ TiRAR MÁS FOToS," spent 38 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart, underscoring his popularity both at home and abroad.
The Super Bowl, scheduled for February 2026, is expected to draw one of the largest television audiences in the world. The NFL’s decision to tap Bad Bunny as the headliner is historic, but it has also become a flashpoint for cultural and political debates. Some conservative voices, like influencer Robby Starbuck, have claimed the move "goes against American values," a sentiment echoed by critics who see the Spanish-only performance as exclusionary. Others, however, point out the irony—Puerto Rico is part of the United States, and Spanish is the primary language for millions of Americans.
Bad Bunny’s SNL appearance was more than just a response to critics; it was a cultural moment. He paid homage to the beloved Televisa sitcom "El Chavo del Ocho," guiding SNL cast members through an English-language version of the classic show—a nod to the deep roots and influence of Latino culture in American life. The episode also featured a surprise cameo by Jon Hamm, with Bad Bunny joking about his own grueling residency and the celebrities who attended his shows.
Despite the political firestorm, Bad Bunny has shown no sign of backing down. As USA TODAY reported, he ended his SNL monologue with a message of unity and pride, making it clear that his Super Bowl performance will proceed as planned: entirely in Spanish, entirely on his terms. Supporters have rallied around him, praising his refusal to compromise and his celebration of Latinx identity. Critics, meanwhile, continue to frame the performance as a "culture war" issue, with threats of ICE presence and accusations of "anti-American" sentiment swirling online and in conservative media.
What’s next for Bad Bunny? After wrapping his Puerto Rico residency, he’s set to launch a 24-date world tour starting November 21, 2025, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. But all eyes are on February’s Super Bowl halftime show, where the stakes now feel higher than ever. Will Bad Bunny’s performance mark a turning point for representation on one of the world’s biggest stages, or will the controversy overshadow the music?
One thing’s for certain: Bad Bunny isn’t backing down. By turning criticism into comedy and doubling down on his commitment to Spanish-language performance, he’s set the stage for a halftime show that’s bound to be unforgettable—for better or worse, depending on whom you ask. As the countdown to Super Bowl LX continues, the conversation about language, culture, and who gets to define "American values" is only getting louder.
With the world watching, Bad Bunny’s SNL moment has made one thing clear: this year’s Super Bowl halftime show won’t just be about music—it’ll be about making history.
