The NFL’s decision to put Bad Bunny at the center of its 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show has ignited a firestorm of debate, drawing both enthusiastic support and pointed criticism from across the political spectrum. As the league and its commissioner, Roger Goodell, stand firm behind their choice, the controversy has become a flashpoint for broader cultural and political tensions in the United States.
On September 28, 2025, Apple Music and the NFL jointly announced that Bad Bunny, the Grammy-winning Puerto Rican artist known for his genre-bending reggaeton and Latin trap hits, would headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show. The announcement was met with immediate global attention, with Bad Bunny’s music streams surging and his name trending across social media platforms. But the news also sparked an intense backlash from conservative circles, including former President Donald Trump and several of his allies.
Speaking at his post-owners meeting press conference on October 22, 2025, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the uproar directly, making it clear that the league would not reconsider its decision. “It’s carefully thought through,” Goodell said, according to the Associated Press. “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. It’s pretty hard to do when you have literally hundreds of millions of people that are watching.” He added, “We’re confident it’s going to be a great show. He understands the platform that he’s on, and I think it’s going to be exciting and a united moment.”
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is no stranger to controversy himself. The 31-year-old superstar has been vocal in his criticism of Trump-era immigration policies and has used his platform to advocate for Latino rights. In fact, his decision to avoid touring the mainland United States as part of his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” World Tour—opting instead for a 31-day residency in Puerto Rico—was motivated by concerns over mass deportations and the threat of ICE raids. According to Variety, Bad Bunny told I-D magazine that fear of ICE raids was a key reason for skipping U.S. tour dates, making the Super Bowl his only scheduled U.S. appearance in 2026.
Conservative figures wasted little time in voicing their disapproval. During an interview with Newsmax in early October, Donald Trump dismissed the choice, saying, “I don’t know who he is… I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s crazy. And then they blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment—I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.” Trump’s incredulity was echoed by Corey Lewandowski, his former campaign manager, who took things a step further by threatening that ICE agents would be present at the Super Bowl to enforce immigration laws. “There is nowhere you can provide safe haven to people who are in this country illegally. Not the Super Bowl and nowhere else. We will find you and apprehend you and put you in a detention facility and deport you. Know that is a very real situation under this administration, which is contrary to how it used to be,” Lewandowski declared, as reported by Variety.
This rhetoric was later reinforced by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who told conservative commentator Benny Johnson that ICE would be “all over that place” at the 2026 Super Bowl, with every intention to “enforce the law.” The threat of heightened immigration enforcement at such a high-profile event has added another layer of anxiety for many Latino fans and performers.
The backlash has not been limited to political figures. A viral online petition has called for Bad Bunny to be replaced by country music legend George Strait, reflecting a segment of the public’s desire for a more traditionally American performer. Meanwhile, Turning Point USA—a prominent right-wing organization—announced plans to host its own alternative halftime show in protest, further politicizing what is typically a unifying entertainment spectacle.
Despite the uproar, Bad Bunny has received a wave of support from fellow artists and fans. Shakira, who shared the Super Bowl stage with Jennifer Lopez in 2020 and performed alongside Bad Bunny, told Variety, “I’m so proud that Bad Bunny, who represents not only Latin culture but also how important Spanish language music has become on a global scale and how universal it has become, is getting to perform on the biggest stage in the world. It’s the perfect moment for a performance like this. I can’t wait to watch it.”
Goodell, for his part, has repeatedly emphasized the league’s commitment to diversity and global reach. “He’s one of the leading and most popular entertainers in the world,” Goodell said during his news conference, as reported by AP and Newsweek. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important stage for us. It’s an important element to the entertainment value.” He also noted that the NFL has never chosen a halftime performer without facing some level of criticism, underscoring the challenge of pleasing a vast and varied audience.
The 2026 Super Bowl, set for Sunday, February 8, at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, will be only the second time the venue has hosted the NFL’s championship game. The matchup will air live on Fox and stream on the Fox Sports app, with kickoff expected around 6:30 p.m. Eastern time. As with previous halftime shows—recently headlined by Usher, Rihanna, and a star-studded lineup including Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Eminem—the league hopes to deliver a performance that resonates far beyond the football field.
Bad Bunny’s expected setlist may include some of his biggest hits, such as “Tití Me Preguntó,” “DÁKITI,” “Me Porto Bonito,” and “I Like It,” all of which have dominated streaming charts and helped cement his status as a global superstar. His decision to perform primarily in Spanish continues the NFL’s recent trend of featuring diverse, internationally recognized artists on its biggest stage, signaling a broader shift in American pop culture.
As the date approaches, questions remain about how the halftime show will be received amid such intense scrutiny. Will the performance unite viewers as Goodell hopes, or will it deepen the cultural and political divides already on display? One thing is certain: the 2026 Super Bowl Halftime Show is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about—and potentially consequential—in the event’s storied history.
With anticipation building and debate raging, all eyes will be on Levi’s Stadium this February, where Bad Bunny will have the chance to redefine what it means to take the world’s biggest stage.
