Bad Bunny is currently experiencing an unparalleled peak in his career. The renowned Puerto Rican artist has just completed a sold-out, month-long residency at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan. Not only that, but his latest album, DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS, made history by becoming the first album of 2025 to surpass an impressive 7 billion streams on Spotify. Adding to the excitement, the NFL announced on the same day that Bad Bunny will headline the highly anticipated 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.
This upcoming performance is set to be a vibrant celebration of Latin culture, featuring predominantly Spanish-language music. The announcement has already sparked significant backlash from right-wing commentators, who are expressing outrage at the prospect of Bad Bunny's halftime show potentially including critiques of former President Donald Trump and his administration's policies targeting immigrant communities. This has ignited a fierce debate among supporters and detractors alike.
Earlier this month, Bad Bunny made headlines when he canceled the U.S. dates of his DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS tour. He cited concerns that large gatherings of Latino fans in the U.S. could become targets for the Trump administration's stringent anti-immigration efforts. “There was the issue of — like, fucking ICE could be outside my concert. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about,” he explained regarding his decision.
The announcement of Bad Bunny as the Super Bowl performer has further intensified the outrage from the MAGA base. Prominent figures like YouTuber Benny Johnson expressed their discontent, labeling Bad Bunny a “massive Trump hater” and criticizing the NFL for what they perceive as a self-destructive choice. Similarly, right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec alleged that the selection was part of a conspiracy involving former President Barack Obama and his ties to the NFL through Jay-Z's Roc Nation.
Further criticism has targeted Bad Bunny's artistic choices and lyrical content. Conservative commentator Greg Price highlighted the irony in the NFL's decision to feature an artist who has expressed reluctance to perform in the continental U.S. due to concerns over ICE deportations. Meanwhile, the right-wing account “Redheaded Libertarian” described him as a “demonic Marxist” who has been given a prominent platform amid a cultural revival.
Some critics have taken issue with the language in Bad Bunny's music. Podcaster Trish Regan articulated concerns over the explicit content and Spanish-language slang typically found in his songs. “This is a rapper with a catalog of vulgar lyrics in Spanish and English,” she noted, questioning whether the halftime show would adhere to the usual standards of content moderation.
The account “End Wokeness,” which boasts nearly 4 million followers on X, suggested that Bad Bunny's decision to wear a skirt in a recent photoshoot for Harper’s Bazaar should have been considered a negative factor in his selection. Commentator Mario Nawfal argued that the average halftime viewer might not be familiar with reggaeton, stating, “Enjoy the show, America. Just don’t ask for subtitles.”
Finally, right-wing filmmaker Robby Starbuck expressed his discontent with the choice of Bad Bunny for the Super Bowl halftime show, arguing that it was designed to divide fans rather than unite them. He pointed out that Bad Bunny recently released a video mocking Trump and expressed concern that the performance would promote a “woke message.” Starbuck also speculated whether NFL team owners were either complicit in this decision or simply out of touch with the realities of their audience.
