Former President Condemns League’s Selection
President Donald Trump sharply criticized the NFL’s decision to feature Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny as the headliner for the upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, calling the move “absolutely ridiculous.” The performance, scheduled for February, will mark the first time a male Latin artist leads the event. Bad Bunny, who is known for performing primarily in Spanish and for his outspoken political views, has often criticized Trump-era immigration policies.
The selection of Bad Bunny has sparked anger among conservative circles. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem warned that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents would be “all over” the Super Bowl, while right-wing commentators accused the artist of being a “Trump-hater.” Speaking to Newsmax host Greg Kelly on Monday, Trump dismissed the performer altogether. “I’ve never heard of him,” he said. “I don’t know who he is, I don’t know why they’re doing it—it’s, like, crazy.”
Backlash Meets Defiance
Trump suggested the decision was the result of poor management by the NFL and criticized the league’s current kickoff rule, a frequent target of his past remarks. “They blame it on some promoter they hired to pick up entertainment. I think it’s absolutely ridiculous,” he said, before adding that the new kickoff format “looks ridiculous.”
Bad Bunny, however, appeared undeterred by the controversy. Over the weekend, he hosted Saturday Night Live and addressed his critics in a Spanish-language monologue. “If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” he joked, referencing the time remaining until his Super Bowl appearance.
Artist’s Political and Cultural Influence
The Grammy-winning artist, who endorsed Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election, has become one of the most streamed musicians globally. Despite his immense popularity, Bad Bunny has chosen to exclude the continental United States from his upcoming world tour, citing fears that immigration authorities might attempt to disrupt his performances. As a Puerto Rican native, he remains a U.S. citizen, a fact that highlights the irony of his exclusion due to political tensions.
Bad Bunny’s performances often incorporate social commentary on Latino identity, migration, and cultural pride. His Super Bowl headlining role marks a significant moment for Latin representation in one of the world’s most-watched entertainment events.
Politics and the Halftime Show
This is not the first time the Super Bowl halftime show has become politically charged. In 2020, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez used their performance to make subtle political statements, with Lopez wrapping herself in a Puerto Rican flag and symbolically freeing children from cages—widely interpreted as criticism of the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
The NFL’s latest choice reflects both the growing global influence of Latin artists and the continuing intersection between entertainment and politics. As the February event approaches, the halftime show is once again poised to be a flashpoint in America’s broader cultural and political debate.
